Watch: CAL FIRE’s new C-130 tanker responds to first fire

By David Caraccio
Merced Sun-Star

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. — A new video shows the first fully operational C-130H delivering 8,000 gallons of retardant on the Record Fire in Riverside County, marking its inaugural firefighting mission over the weekend.

Tanker 122 has joined the fleet of the state’s firefighting agency, CAL FIRE.

“This marks an historic milestone in the agency’s ongoing commitment to CA!” Cal Fire chief Joe Tylor said on X.

California officials waited more than five years to get the first of several military aircraft they were promised by the federal government to help fight fires across the state.

(c)2024 the Merced Sun-Star (Merced, Calif.)
Visit the Merced Sun-Star (Merced, Calif.) at www.mercedsunstar.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Trending

Legislation and Funding

Calif. governor vetoes bill that would have lowered retirement age, added benefits for firefighters, police

Gavin Newsom cited concerns that the move would not be financially sound; AB 1383 would have lowered retirement ages by 2 years and raised maximum accrual rates by 0.3%

September 22, 2026 09:01 AM

 · 

Joanna Putman

Line-of-Duty Death (LODD)

2 killed in helicopter crash while battling wildfire in Yosemite

Two Precision crewmembers were killed when their helicopter crashed during a bucket drop while assigned to the Dome Fire in Yosemite National Park

September 21, 2026 12:48 PM

 · 

Bill Carey

Fatal Incident

3 family members killed after SUV strikes N.C. fire truck blocking crash

Three members of a Charlotte family, including a 6-year-old girl, were killed when their SUV struck a Providence Fire Department fire engine at an earlier crash scene

September 21, 2026 08:16 AM

FDNY

Smoke explosion leads to mayday at NYC 4-alarm restaurant fire

A four-alarm Brooklyn fire spread through the cockloft of three restaurants, triggering a smoke explosion, mayday and a partial roof collapse

September 21, 2026 09:09 AM

 · 

Bill Carey