Wildfire season came early and earnestly to Southern California this year with the San Bernardino Air Tanker Base, headquartered at San Bernardino International Airport (SBD), activating during the first week of June and remaining active in September due to three major wildfires causing devastation in the region.

Much too close to home, the Line Fire, which started on September 5, posed a significant threat to Highland residents and their property. Evacuation orders and warnings, and road closures were in effect. Significantly, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency to provide state resources to assist in the response, and the California National Guard deployed to San Bernardino County to support the fire response as well as assist with law enforcement in the evacuated areas.

“As the Line Fire continues to pose a threat to San Bernardino communities, we’re pouring resources into this incident aggressively by deploying more air and ground support through the California National Guard. This is on top of nearly 2,000 firefighters, nearly 200 engines, and air assets we already have tackling this fire. California stands with these communities and has their backs,” said Governor Newsom in a September 9 press release.

Skilled aerial firefighters, who train at and activate from SBD and provide air support to crews battling fires on the ground, fly airtankers and helitankers that can drop thousands of gallons of water and retardant in a single pass. They were under extreme pressure during the Line Fire response as two other wildfires—the Bridge Fire in LA County and Airport Fire in Orange County—burned concurrently.

Airport and tenant personnel continued to deliver important support to aerial firefighters and aircraft based at SBD with time-critical activities, including ground support services, resupplying fire retardant, and maintaining aircraft to the highest safety standards.

The SBD team appreciates the first responders who fly into the fire storm and fight fires on the ground, and selflessly work day and night to protect people and property, and keep our communities safe.

Learn more about the San Bernardino Air Tanker Base here.