San Diego Gas & Electric representatives, Kumeyaay Band of Indians, and local government officials met recently to discuss wildfire safety provisions to prepare for the upcoming wildfire season.
One of the results of their discussion is that SDG&E partnered with the county to give them a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter.
Use of the Blackhawk will be year-round and can hold 850 gallons of water to fight fires. In tandem with the Erickson Aircrane, firefighters will be able to use more than 3,400 gallons of water to suppress fires.
The Blackhawk is the second aircraft to be authorized for year-round use and will be dispatched when needed.
Along with the helicopter, a tactical command vehicle with internet and phone service has been given to firefighters. Two new information centers have been established in Ramona and Valley Center. SDG&E also manages nine resource centers, which provide emergency information, water, and electronic charging stations.
SDG&E Chief Operating Officer Caroline Winn said about the program, “The new wildfire prevention assets will complement SDG&E’s decade- long fire risk preparedness program, which is aimed at identifying and better managing the effects of extreme weather and making our region more resilient.” She went on to say that “We are committed to continuing our work with the best and the brightest in our region so that together, we can make every day safer than the last for the communities we are privileged to serve.”
SDG&E is planning to hold wildfire safety fairs this month and next month in Ramona, Valley Center, and Alpine. Attendees will learn about emergency preparedness and what SDG&E is doing to protect citizens from wildfires.
Photo by Matt Hecht via Flickr
