San Diego County Fire Acquiring Firehawk Helicopter in 2026
https://www.countynewscenter.com/county ... elicopter/
File #: 25-541
AUTHORITY FOR COUNTY FIRE TO OPERATIONALIZE AN AERIAL FIREFIGHTING PROGRAM, APPROVE THE SINGLE SOURCE PURCHASE AND OUTFITTING OF A SIKORSKY S70 FIREHAWK HELICOPTER, EXTEND AN AGREEMENT WITH SAN DIEGO GAS & ELECTRIC FOR REGIONAL AERIAL FIREFIGHTING RESOURCES, AND ESTABLISH APPROPRIATIONS (4 VOTES)
https://sdcounty.legistar.com/MeetingDe ... 7C&Search=
In response to the destructive wildfires in Los Angeles this January, the County is further strengthening the region’s aerial resources with the purchase of a firefighting helicopter.
The Sikorsky S70 Firehawk adds to the region’s fleet of 12 firefighting helicopters and planes serving the region to protect residents. It will substantially improve day and night firefighting response.
The Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to buy the helicopter for San Diego County Fire and upgrade it to accommodate a full crew for firefighting and rescues missions.
The Firehawk will be able to fly at night, which can be a vital first line of attack. It carries up to 1,000 gallons of water and will have a hoist for rescues, according to County Fire Director Jeff Collins.
This helicopter is a big investment in the County’s firefighting capabilities, it flies faster and longer and drops more water than smaller helicopters, said CAL FIRE/County Fire Chief Tony Mecham. It is the same model used by CAL FIRE since 2018, and City of San Diego as well as in Los Angeles and Orange counties.
Last year, the County’s existing helicopter made 1,400 water drops on wildfires and rescued 159 people in San Diego County.
Through a partnership, the County will provide the helicopter and CAL FIRE will provide staffing, maintenance, fuel and training at an estimated in-kind value of $5.5 million annually.
Once purchased, the helicopter will need to be outfitted with specific firefighting equipment and seating for a full crew. It will be ready to respond next fall. In the interim, CAL FIRE can provide a reserve helicopter to the region in the spring as a temporary asset.
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San Diego County approves $38M Firehawk helicopter for wildfire fighting
Board of Supervisors buys military Sikorsky S-70 Firehawk to fight wildfires overnight, launching spring 2026.
Published: 6:28 PM PDT October 21, 2025
SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — San Diego County has purchased a Firehawk helicopter capable of fighting wildfires at night, marking a significant expansion of the region's aerial firefighting capabilities.
The County Board of Supervisors approved the $38 million purchase of the former military Sikorsky S-70 Firehawk through a partnership with Cal Fire and San Diego Gas & Electric. The aircraft is expected to begin operations this spring.
The decision came after San Diego County relied on borrowed air support during four North County fires in January while watching Firehawks battle Los Angeles' destructive wildfires.
"When flames break out after dark, we won't be waiting for backup, and we will not be waiting for sunrise," Board Chair, Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer said.
The new aircraft can drop 1,000 gallons of water and transport 12 firefighters — double the capacity of existing county helicopters. It also features enhanced safety systems, twin engines and advanced night observation capabilities.
Fire Chief Tony Mecham said the helicopter flies faster, carries more fuel and has superior power compared to current aircraft.
"This aircraft has so much power that whether we're at the top of Mount Laguna or we're out in the desert floor in 110-degree heat, we have enough power to be able to do those hoist rescues," Mecham said.
The helicopter will provide critical night aerial observation during wind-driven fires, allowing pilots to communicate real-time updates to ground commanders about fire patterns and threatened communities.
CAL FIRE currently operates 16 Firehawks statewide, with the nearest based in Riverside. The San Diego Fire Department also has its own Firehawk.
Mecham said the purchase is another step in enhancing San Diego's aerial firefighting capabilities.
https://www.cbs8.com/article/news/local ... ef21484f9f
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San Diego County adds night-flying firefighting Firehawk helicopter to its fleet
The Firehawk nearly triples the region's helicopter water-drop capacity and ensures dedicated night-flying capability.
On Tuesday, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the purchase of a $23.8 million Sikorsky S-70 Firehawk helicopter from San Diego Gas & Electric for night flying.
The decision comes as California and the county enter peak wildfire season and day-or-night wildfire fighting capabilities remain vital for a regional response. However, the agreement will only bring the helicopter under the county's control next fall. Prior to the arrival of the new helicopter, Cal Fire will station a reserve Firehawk in San Diego County in the spring.
The county will pay $23,806,000 for the aircraft but also has the ability to accept $5 million annually through 2035 from SDG&E to help fund the county's fire helicopter program.
"Every minute matters when wildfire strikes," Board Chair Terra Lawson-Remer said. "This new helicopter provides San Diego County Fire with night-flying firefighting capacity — protecting families while they sleep, saving lives and preventing small fires from becoming disasters."
The Firehawk nearly triples the region's helicopter water-drop capacity, ensures dedicated night-flying capability in the region and will be operated and maintained by Cal Fire.
Lawson-Remer said the initial attack at night can be critical to stopping fires before they expand into major disasters, as strong winds and dry conditions can cause small blazes to spread out of control before sunrise.
The Firehawk can carry 1,000 gallons of water per drop and has a longer flight time than current helicopters owned by the county.
"I don't want to jinx it, but I truly believe these investments have made a difference," Supervisor Jim Desmond said. "We haven't seen a major wildfire in our region in recent years, and that's not by luck — it's because we've taken fire safety seriously and acted decisively."
The county will get the chopper up to Cal Fire specifications, the same as those used in Los Angeles County, Orange County and the city of San Diego. The region uses 12 aerial firefighting vehicles, and the existing county firefighting helicopter last year made more than 1,400 water drops and 159 rescues.
"This aircraft represents a major leap forward in our ability to protect San Diego County," Cal Fire San Diego Unit Chief Tony Mecham said. "The Firehawk's capacity and endurance will allow us to respond faster, operate safely at night, and help contain wildfires before they threaten homes and communities."
https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/ ... 132/?amp=1
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Firehawk helicopter joins county’s wildfire defense team
The county is paying $38 million for the Firehawk. The helicopter price is $32 million, and it will be upgraded to CalFire operational standards at an additional cost of $6 million.
Additional investments made by the county over six years include committing $3 million annually to add firefighters across the region, installing helihydrants, expanding brush management to protect neighborhoods and adding two twin-engine helicopters to the aerial fleet.
https://timesofsandiego.com/life/2025/1 ... ense-team/
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San Diego County signs off on buy new night flying helicopter to fight wildfires
https://www.10news.com/news/local-news/ ... -wildfires
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San Diego County to acquire Firehawk helicopter
It’s expected the new Firehawk will be operational by fall 2026, with Cal Fire providing a reserve helicopter to the region in the interim.
https://verticalmag.com/news/san-diego- ... elicopter/
San Diego County Approves $38M Firehawk Helicopter for Wildfire Fighting
https://aerialfiremag.com/2025/10/22/sa ... -fighting/
