Six aircraft capable of dropping 3,000 gallons of fire retardant were expected to be in California tomorrow to aid in the fight against the series of wildfires burning in the region, according to the governor's office.
The U.S. Department of Defense agreed to dispatch the aircraft from
bases in Colorado, Wyoming and North Carolina. The C-130 aircraft are equipped with Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems and are manned by crews trained by U.S. Forest Service aviation personnel.
``They will provide us with additional firefighting capabilities that
will help save lives and property,'' said Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who
requested that the aircraft be sent.
Meanwhile, the governor directed the California National Guard to make
1,500 troops available to various areas to assist with evacuations and crowd
control. The manpower will include 200 troops currently patrolling the U.S.
border.
The troops and additional air support will be dispatched by the
governor's Office of Emergency Services.
