Elected leaders and public-safety officials on Monday celebrated the reopening of a significantly improved eastern San Diego-area firefighting air base following a yearlong construction project that paved the way for a new tanker facility at the station.
"The Ramona Air Attack Base has long served as a cornerstone of aerial firefighting in San Diego County," Cal Fire Unit Chief Tony Mecham said. "With these upgrades now complete, the base is fully operational and positioned as a critical hub in Cal Fire's expanding aviation program."
Among the upgrades are a locally stationed C-130H air tanker that will be available for use statewide. The tanker will augment the state agency's San Diego-area fleet of three aircraft, one air attack platform and two air tankers.
A reconstructed tarmac and new bays for fire-retardant reloading replace an aging facility with a modern, state-of-the-art plant for mixing fire retardant and other enhancements to improve efficiency and support the increased size and operational requirements of the new aircraft, officials said.
The 69-year-old base is also home to an S-70 Cal Fire Hawk helicopter equipped with a 1,000-gallon water tank, hoist rescue capability and the ability to transport helicopter crews into remote terrain.
The completion of the project, which began last August, is a serious milestone that improves wildfire response across the county and regionally, according to fire officials.
"The modernization of Ramona Air Attack Base marks a significant investment in California's wildfire response, strengthening our ability to respond rapidly and support firefighters with advanced aerial resources when every second counts," Cal Fire Director Joe Tyler said.
