Riverside County Fire, Army Personnel Conducting Aerial Firefighting Training Near Winchester

IMAGE: Two Blackhawk military helicopters prepare to drop water in this Cal Fire photo.

If you happen to see some military Blackhawks in the Winchester area on Tuesday, don’t be alarmed. Fire officials say they’ll be nearby conducting some aerial firefighting training.

“The training will consist of military Blackhawks making water drops under the direction of CAL FIRE on a simulated wildland fire,” Riverside County Fire Department Spokeswoman Jody Hagemann said.

Teams from both the U.S. Army and Cal Fire Riverside County will take part in the drills, she said.

“With California still in the grips of a history making drought the possibility of larger more devastating wildfires exists and the Military plays a key role in these large incidents,” Hagemann said.

Training is set to begin at 10 a.m.