Cal Fire Aerial Firefighting Training Planned June 17 Near Temecula

TEMECULA, CA — Cal Fire helicopter crews will be in and around Vail Lake in the Temecula Valley Wednesday evening, sharpening their after-dark flight skills to remain prepared for operations at all hours, and residents were advised not to be alarmed by the chopper traffic.

The Night Aerial Firefighting Exercise is slated from an hour after sunset Wednesday up to midnight, with helicopters based at the Hemet-Ryan Fire Attack Base maneuvering in close proximity to the Glenoak Hills community, according to Cal Fire.

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"All training flights will adhere to Federal Aviation Administration regulations and Cal Fire safety protocols," the agency said.

"Wildfire suppression in the dark demands technical precision. These regional exercises allow pilots and crews to practice water drops and aerial supervision, maximizing safety and operational efficiency when protecting lives and property at night."

FAA requirements include proficiency mandates for night flights by pilots engaged in commercial and public safety operations.

The flight crews involved in Wednesday night's NAFE will be relying on forward-looking infrared devices, cockpit instruments and clearly identifiable geographic features for guidance.

In addition to the Temecula Valley exercise, a similar one is planned at the same time along the Sacramento River in Northern California.

Further details are available at fire.ca.gov/what-we-do/fire-protection/aviation-program.