Jul 4, 2008 10:07 am US/Pacific
Governor Doubles Number Of Troops Fighting Fires
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) ―
Governor Schwarzenegger today doubled the number of National Guard soldiers fighting wildfires in California.
Earlier in the week, he ordered 200 troops to battle the blazes. Today, in a press release, the Governor's office announced that he has ordered another 200 to troops to mobilize.
"I have ordered additional California National Guard soldiers to provide direct ground support to our firefighters in their efforts," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "These additional soldiers will bring much needed assistance to the efforts of the firefighters who continue to tirelessly battle the blazes across California," he added.
National Guard airmen have been flying missions since the beginning of the state's current wildfire emergency.
Following is the total number of personnel and resources fighting fires statewide from the California National Guard and neighboring states' National Guard and reserve forces:
• More than 750 personnel.
• Eighteen rotary-winged helicopters. These include (12) aircraft from the CNG and (6) from other states. Helicopters from the CNG consist of (6) UH-60 Blackhawks, (1) Firehawk, (3) OH-58 Kiowa for observation and (2) HH-60G from the California Air National Guard. To date, these aircraft have dropped 1,305,596 million gallons of water.
• The CNG is providing the following fixed-wing aircraft in support of the wild fires: (1) C-130J support aircraft for personnel and equipment transport and (1) RC-26 providing aerial imagery support. There are currently (8) C-130H with MAFFS, which are capable of dropping up to 3,000 gallons of water or retardant per mission: (3) from the North Carolina Air National Guard, (3) from the Colorado Air Force Reserve and (2) from the Wyoming Air National Guard. To date, (MAFFS) have dropped more than 355,600 gallons of retardant.
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