CAL FIRE’S C-130 aircraft part of a small fleet with a mission to stop the spread of the Colorado Fire in Mariposa County.<\/p>\n
“The minute that we had ignition, we had aircraft off the ground and supporting that community,” said CAL FIRE Fresno-Kings Unit Capt. Casey Hutchings.<\/p>\n
Crews work with multiple agencies in and out of the Fresno Air Attack Base to contain the flames of the Colorado Fire burning since Tuesday afternoon.<\/p>\n
“Not only from our base here, but multiple agencies in different bases throughout California,” said Capt. Hutchings.<\/p>\n
The all-hands-on deck approach aiding in the attack from above as crews utilize the C-130’s. The powerful aircraft is able to hold a capacity of 4,000 gallons of retardant.<\/p>\n
“We have been receiving retardant from them also. And the number is 72,000 gallons of retardant. 42,000 gallons alone from Fresno here at the airbase,” said Capt. Hutchings.<\/p>\n
The substance critical for crews who work to combat the flames above the steep terrain of Mariposa County. CAL FIRE described the fire conditions for crews on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
“It’s so steep in some places, it’s almost a vertical climb, and they’re having to move everything by hand,” said CAL FIRE Spokesperson Emily Kilgore.<\/p>\n
That type of aerial efficiency saves crews time on the ground.<\/p>\n
“They can drop a lot more retardant on the fire without having to come back and refill,” said Capt. Hutchings.<\/p>\n
As of Wednesday evening, evacuation orders and warnings remain in place for certain communities near the fire – including Briceburg in Mariposa County.<\/p>\n
For news updates, follow Christina Lopez on Facebook<\/a>, X<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n