8/4/2019 CAL FIRE Aircraft Response Memo

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State of California Natural Resources Agency

Memorandum

To: Deputy Director Fire Protection Date: August 19,2011Region ChiefsAssistant Deputy Director, Cooperation, Training & Telephone: (916) 653-7772SafetyAssistant Region Chiefs Website: www.fire.ca.govUnit ChiefsStaff Chiefs

From: KEN PIMLODirectorCalifornia Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)

Subject: CAL FIRE Aircraft Response Guidelines

In light of the reduction of federal air tankers, it is expected that there will be anincreased reliance on State of California aircraft throughout California and adjoiningstates. As a result, all CAL FIRE personnel will follow the process listed below whenaddressing competing resource requests.In-State ResponseCAL FIRE will continue to follow the procedures outlined in the Cooperative FireManagement Agreement (CFMA), the Geographic Area Operating Plans and the SubGeographic Operating Plans, the California Mobilization Guide and the California AreaAviation Preparedness Guidelines with the following exceptions: CAL FIRE will dispatch air tankers on initial attack (IA) in accordance withexisting agreements and per the California Mobilization Guide under the closestforces concept. If a federal incident requires "load and return" of CAL FIRE airtankers or additional CAL FIRE air tankers are ordered for the incident, theFederal GACC will order federal air tankers(s) from the other California GACC orthrough NICC as appropriate to replace CAL FIRE IA air tankers . CAL FIRE airtankers should NOT be considered as a replacement for federal aircraft on

extended attack or major Federal incidents in California. Any commitment of 4 air tankers or more to any incident (federal, state or localgovernment) will require Region Duty Chief notification. The Region Duty Chief must evaluate Region IA capability/activity, values at risk(threat to life, property), threat to SRA lands (including SRA within federal DPA)and proximity to DPA (FRA, SRA, LRA) boundary.

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8/4/2019 CAL FIRE Aircraft Response Memo

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Aircraft Response Guidelines MemoAugust 19, 2011Page Two

The Region Duty Chief shall revisit the use of CAL FIRE air tankers on federalincidents with his/her federal Duty Chief counterpart at least every hour throughoutthe incident and consider the following:o Has a federal air tanker request been filled/en-route?o Updated evaluation of Region IA capability/activity, values at risk (threat tolife, property), threat to SRA lands (including SRA within federal DPA) andproximity to DPA boundary.o If necessary, the CAL FIRE Region Duty Chief may deny the request forcontinued use of CAL FIRE air tankers if CAL FIRE IA capability is

compromised. Requests for more than 4 CAL FIRE air tankers on a federal incident require RegionDuty Chief approval. CAL FIRE reserves the right to deny a request for use of CAL FIRE aircraft basedon CAL FIRE need to maintain effective initial attack capability and supportCAL FIRE extended attack or major incidents.Out of State Requests Same criteria as In-State with the following additional restrictions:

o IA response limited to 25 nautical miles and for no more than 1 ATGS,2 Air Tankers.o Requires Region Duty Chief/Region Chief Notification.o Requests greater than 25 nautical miles require Region Chief approval.o Requests for diverts to new incidents or additional IA dispatches within a25 nautical mile radius require Region Duty Chief approval.o Requests for additional CAL FIRE aircraft (3 air tankers or more) requireDirector approval.

cc: Crawford TuttleJanet BarentsonTonya HooverJanet UptonSacramento Duty Chief Notification List

PLEASE REMEMBER TO CONSERVE ENERGY. FOR TIPS AND INFORMATION, VISIT "FLEX YOUR POWER" AT WWW.CA.GOV.

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