California has completed assembly of the world's largest civilian helicopter firefighting fleet with the arrival of two final Fire Hawk helicopters, marking a stark contrast to federal cuts in wildfire response resources under the Trump administration.
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the completion of CAL FIRE's 16-helicopter fleet as the final two Sikorsky S-70i Fire Hawk aircraft arrived at McClellan Airfield in Sacramento. The milestone caps a multi-year modernization effort that began in 2020 and represents California's most significant aerial firefighting expansion.
"Our fleet of Fire Hawk helicopters – now the largest in the world – is a proven tool in our growing firefighting arsenal," Newsom said. "During the devastating Los Angeles fires, we saw them in action, conducting critical missions at night which stopped the Palisades Fire from dipping into Mandeville Canyon and toward the 405 freeway. Hundreds of homes were saved because of these state-of-the-art helicopters and their heroic pilots."
The completion comes as the Trump administration has implemented significant cuts to federal firefighting resources. The U.S. Forest Service has lost 10% of all positions and 25% of positions outside direct wildfire response, according to state officials. Last week, the administration proposed shuttering the Pacific Regional Forest Service office and other western regional offices.
"With the Trump Administration pulling back on federal firefighting, California continues to step up to protect our communities," Newsom said.
The timing proves critical as the new helicopters have already demonstrated their value during recent wildfire emergencies. In January's Palisades Fire, multiple CAL FIRE helicopters conducted nighttime operations in Mandeville Canyon, dropping more than 375,000 gallons of water while operating under night vision goggles in complex terrain with high-tension power lines.
Had the fire breached Mandeville Canyon, projections indicated rapid spread toward the 405 Freeway corridor, potentially destroying hundreds of homes. The combined nighttime and daylight operations prevented structural losses and showcased the modernized fleet's capabilities in high-risk urban interface zones.
The Fire Hawk helicopters represent a substantial upgrade from the Vietnam-era Huey UH-1H helicopters they replaced. Each Fire Hawk carries nearly three times the water capacity of its predecessors—1,000 gallons compared to roughly 350 gallons—and features enhanced night operation capabilities that extend CAL FIRE's firefighting capacity around the clock.
"The completion of our S-70i Fire Hawk fleet and the transition of all Helitack bases is thanks to the dedication of the entire CAL FIRE aviation program," said CAL FIRE Chief and Director Joe Tyler. "This is about equipping our firefighters with the most advanced tools available to respond to the increasing complexities of wildland fires."
The helicopters also feature expanded crew capacity, permanently affixed external hoists for rescue operations, and improved flight safety systems for both firefighters and communities.
California's investment extends beyond helicopters. The state recently added its second C-130 Hercules airtanker to operations, with plans for seven total large-capacity aircraft. Since beginning operations, the first C-130 has flown 90 missions responding to 36 fires and dropping 253,702 gallons of retardant.
The helicopter fleet completion represents part of California's broader wildfire resilience investment. Since 2019, the Newsom administration has invested more than $5 billion in wildfire and forest resilience efforts in collaboration with the state legislature.
CAL FIRE has significantly expanded its workforce over the past five years, adding an average of 1,800 full-time and 600 seasonal positions annually—nearly double the previous administration's hiring rate. The department plans to hire thousands of additional firefighters, natural resource professionals and support personnel over the next four years.
Recent months have seen additional investments, with $135 million available for new prevention projects and $72 million distributed to projects statewide. Additionally, 54 new vegetation management projects spanning nearly 12,000 acres have been fast-tracked under streamlined processes established by the governor's March 2025 state of emergency proclamation.
Federal forestlands comprise 57% of California's forests, compared to just 3% managed by the state, making federal resource cuts particularly concerning for statewide wildfire response efforts.
The Fire Hawks began their operational history in 2022 with CAL FIRE's first night mission responding to the Electra Fire, establishing the precedent for the critical nighttime operations that proved decisive in recent Los Angeles area fires.