Everything you need to know about the water drops in California during wildfires

California firefighters are currently engaged in battling the unprecedented wildfires by utilizing various specialized aircraft that drop water and fire retardant over Los Angeles.

The fire response team includes tactical planes, air tankers, and helicopters, each with unique functions that complement each other to combat the fires that have been raging since Tuesday. These wildfires have tragically resulted in 10 casualties and immense destruction across tens of thousands of acres.

Cal Fire’s official website reports that the state boasts a fleet of over 60 planes and helicopters, making it the largest firefighting aviation fleet owned by a single department globally. The fleet operates from 14 airfields and 11 helicopter bases strategically located across the state, enabling prompt responses to wildfires within approximately 20 minutes.

plane drops water on palisades fire

A Super Scooper plane drops water on the Palisades Fire Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Pacific Palisades, Calif. (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

The pilots who man these aircraft are known as aerial firefighting pilots, or waterbombers. 

Mixon says pilots are from different backgrounds, but many previously served in the military. 

They typically have to undergo specific training on their respective type of aircraft to handle their unique capabilities and systems. Most aerial firefighting pilots already have years of experience flying before they ever take to the skies in a firefighting aircraft.

According to Hillsboro Aero Academy, an Oregon-based flight school, becoming a helicopter pilot involves accumulating between 1,500 and 4,000 hours of helicopter flight time as a pilot in command (PIC), a pilot responsible for the safety and operation of an aircraft.

The flight hours equip aspiring pilots with vital knowledge about aircraft systems, mission training and fire behavior, and candidates need to prove they can operate firefighting helicopters in challenging conditions such as mountainous terrain. They also need technical skills to work closely with ground crews and other aircraft during missions and knowledge of how fires spread and how to contain them using aircraft.

fire retardant

A tanker drops retardant as the Palisades Fire grows in the hills of Topanga, Calif., Jan. 9, 2025.  (David Swanson/AFP via Getty Images)

The hours are similar for prospective fixed-wing aircraft pilots.

“The crews are all extremely highly trained specifically for the specialized mission,” Mixson said. “This isn’t a secondary mission for the Cal Fire folks or any of the DOD or Forest Service firefighting folks. Just like the U.S. Coast Guard, they are very, very specialized in what they do.

“It is very hazardous, very challenging, but they’re also very, very highly trained, uniquely to the specific task.”

One of the most apparent dangers is the low altitude above hilly terrain in high wind conditions, which is what they’re battling now, Mixson said.

Mixson pointed out that, through the smoke, these crews must also avoid other aircraft, terrain and everyday hazards such as radio towers.

The strong Santa Ana winds prevented firefighting aircraft from being deployed earlier this week due to safety risks.

Meanwhile, a drone smashed into one of the Canadian Super Scoopers, too. The impact left a fist-sized hole in the water, dropping the aircraft’s wing. No injuries have been reported. Cal Fire said it expects the plane to be back in the air by Monday.

Reuters contributed to this report.

You May Also Like
Kelly Ripa Calls Out “Perverts” In The ‘Live’ Audience After They Laugh At Her Talking About Bugs “Spreading Their Legs”

Kelly Ripa Criticizes Inappropriate Comments from Audience Members on ‘Live’ Show

Kelly Ripa had Live with Kelly and Mark viewers in hysterics on…
‘Robin Hood’ Opening Quote Denouncing “Tyranny and Injustice” Mysteriously Disappears On Amazon Prime Video: Is Censorship To Blame?

Did Amazon Prime Video Remove ‘Robin Hood’ Opening Quote Condemning “Tyranny and Injustice”? Possible Censorship Explanation

Social media and streaming sleuths have done it again. A quote showcased…
Trump reveals location of glistening new tower in the Middle East amid controversial crypto scheme

Trump Announces Location of New Tower in the Middle East Amid Crypto Scheme Controversy

Donald Trump, the President, is extending his real estate holdings to Dubai…
CA Leg Dems Cave on AB 379 After Successful GOP Ad Campaign and Shaming for Age Ceiling Removal

California Democratic lawmakers give in on AB 379 following effective Republican ad efforts and criticism for eliminating age limit.

The California Democrat Supermajority has been openly displaying their negative behavior and…
Martese Hudson, critically wounded in off-duty Chicago police shooting during Roseland domestic incident, charged

Off-duty Chicago police shooting leaves Martese Hudson seriously injured during domestic incident in Roseland; now facing charges

CHICAGO (WLS) — The person shot and critically wounded by an off-duty…
US Army Blackhawk pilot Marciano Parisano found dead on riverbank in Honduras five miles from military base

US Army Blackhawk Pilot Marciano Parisano Discovered Deceased on Riverbank Near Honduras Military Base

A US Army Blackhawk pilot was found dead on a riverbank near…
Why the Beckhams never stood a chance against 'confident' Nicola: Bolstered by six brothers and her billionaire father, actress with a tattoo that says 'family first' has expertly turned Brooklyn into a Peltz

How Nicola Peltz Easily Outshined the Beckhams with Support from Her Strong Family Background and Changed Brooklyn’s Surname to Peltz

Nicola Peltz is described as having a resilient attitude towards failure, often…
The pope's salary: How does the pontiff get paid?

How does the pope earn money: Exploring the pontiff’s income sources

The head of the Roman Catholic Church does not receive a conventional…
When Is The Next Episode of ‘High Potential’ Coming Out? ‘High Potential’ Season 2 Info

Is “High Potential” Returning Today? How Many Episodes are There in “High Potential”? Find Out About Season 2 Renewal.

The debut season of High Potential ended with a bang. The latest…
An Alcatraz Alternative: Former FBI Agent Has a Better Idea

An Alternative to Alcatraz: Former FBI Agent Proposes a Superior Option

Never let it be said that President Donald Trump is one to…
Vanity Fair Torched for Ridiculously Blaming MAGA for Americans Wanting a Protein-Fueled Diet

Criticism of Vanity Fair for Unfairly Accusing MAGA Supporters of Favoring Protein-Packed Diets

The article titled “Why Are Americans So Obsessed With Protein? Blame MAGA”…