SDGE‘s $27 Million Firefighting Helicopter Remains Grounded as Wildfire Risk Looms
SAN DIEGO, CA – San Diego Gas & Electric (SDGE) invested $27 million in a state-of-the-art Firehawk helicopter designed to bolster nighttime wildfire suppression capabilities, but the aircraft remains unused, awaiting final FAA certification and pilot training - a delay raising questions as Southern California heads into another perhaps hazardous fire season. The helicopter, originally slated for deployment this fall, is now expected to be operational next fall, according to the utility.
The purchase stems from Senate Bill 901,passed in 2018,which mandates electrical corporations develop wildfire mitigation plans and allows regulators to assess the reasonableness of related expenses charged to ratepayers. SDGE currently recovers 10.23% of its wildfire mitigation costs through customer rates, a figure the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is considering reducing to 9.88% next month.
SDGE maintains its existing fleet of Blackhawks are integral to regional firefighting efforts,having dropped over 36,000 gallons of water in January and approximately 1 million gallons throughout 2024.they also assisted in containing the 68-acre Scissors Fire in San Diego’s backcountry earlier this month. The utility claims its aviation programme reduces utility-associated wildfires by about 4%.
However, local fire officials emphasize the unique capabilities of the Firehawk, especially its ability to operate effectively at night. Cal Fire and county Fire Chief Tony Mecham stated the helicopter will “backup and add at night that capability that we don’t have now.” currently, San Diego County’s only other twin-engine helicopter belongs to the Sheriff’s Department and is not equipped for nighttime firefighting.
“This is going to allow us to get up in the evening, that first afternoon, drop water when the humidity comes up and the temperature drops, and hopefully keep that fire from becoming a major fire on day two,” Mecham explained, referencing the potential to prevent fires from escalating like the devastating Cedar Fire of 2003.
The Firehawk’s advanced features include compatibility wiht night vision goggles and an infrared system for locating flames and people in low-visibility conditions. It can also carry 1,000 gallons of water – three times the capacity of previous models. While California has 16 Firehawks statewide, none are currently stationed in san Diego County, relying instead on aircraft flown in when needed. Cal Fire had not budgeted for a dedicated San Diego-based Firehawk,citing a historical reliance on the Sheriff’s Department’s resources.
Despite the delay, Cal Fire has committed to providing a reserve Firehawk for use in the spring. resident jack Powers, whose home was saved by a city of San Diego fire-Rescue helicopter years ago, acknowledged the value of aerial firefighting assets but emphasized the core obligation of fire departments.
