State of California

Natural Resources Agency

Memorandum
To:

Deputy Director Fire Protection Region Chiefs Assistant Deputy Director, Cooperation, Training & Safety Assistant Region Chiefs Unit Chiefs Staff Chiefs

Date: August 19,2011 Telephone: (916) 653-7772 Website: www.fire.ca.gov

From: KEN PIMLO Director California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)
Subject: CAL FIRE Aircraft Response Guidelines

In light of the reduction of federal air tankers, it is expected that there will be an increased reliance on State of California aircraft throughout California and adjoining states. As a result, all CAL FIRE personnel will follow the process listed below when addressing competing resource requests.
In-State Response

CAL FIRE will continue to follow the procedures outlined in the Cooperative Fire Management Agreement (CFMA), the Geographic Area Operating Plans and the Sub Geographic Operating Plans, the California Mobilization Guide and the California Area Aviation Preparedness Guidelines with the following exceptions: CAL FIRE will dispatch air tankers on initial attack (IA) in accordance with existing agreements and per the California Mobilization Guide under the closest forces concept. If a federal incident requires "load and return" of CAL FIRE air tankers or additional CAL FIRE air tankers are ordered for the incident, the Federal GACC will order federal air tankers(s) from the other California GACC or through NICC as appropriate to replace CAL FIRE IA air tankers . CAL FIRE air tankers should NOT be considered as a replacement for federal aircraft on extended attack or major Federal incidents in California. Any commitment of 4 air tankers or more to any incident (federal, state or local government) will require Region Duty Chief notification. The Region Duty Chief must evaluate Region IA capability/activity, values at risk (threat to life, property), threat to SRA lands (including SRA within federal DPA) and proximity to DPA (FRA, SRA, LRA) boundary.

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Aircraft Response Guidelines Memo August 19, 2011 Page Two

The Region Duty Chief shall revisit the use of CAL FIRE air tankers on federal incidents with his/her federal Duty Chief counterpart at least every hour throughout the incident and consider the following: o Has a federal air tanker request been filled/en-route? o Updated evaluation of Region IA capability/activity, values at risk (threat to life, property), threat to SRA lands (including SRA within federal DPA) and proximity to DPA boundary. o If necessary, the CAL FIRE Region Duty Chief may deny the request for continued use of CAL FIRE air tankers if CAL FIRE IA capability is compromised. Requests for more than 4 CAL FIRE air tankers on a federal incident require Region Duty Chief approval. CAL FIRE reserves the right to deny a request for use of CAL FIRE aircraft based on CAL FIRE need to maintain effective initial attack capability and support CAL FIRE extended attack or major incidents.

Out of State Requests Same criteria as In-State with the following additional restrictions:
o o o o o

IA response limited to 25 nautical miles and for no more than 1 ATGS, 2 Air Tankers. Requires Region Duty Chief/Region Chief Notification. Requests greater than 25 nautical miles require Region Chief approval. Requests for diverts to new incidents or additional IA dispatches within a 25 nautical mile radius require Region Duty Chief approval. Requests for additional CAL FIRE aircraft (3 air tankers or more) require Director approval.

cc:

Crawford Tuttle Janet Barentson Tonya Hoover Janet Upton Sacramento Duty Chief Notification List

PLEASE REMEMBER TO CONSERVE ENERGY. FOR TIPS AND INFORMATION, VISIT "FLEX YOUR POWER" AT
WWW.CA.GOV.