Helitender 33 is associated with CAL FIRE/San Diego County Fire.
A First-of-Its-Kind Design for the Region
According to a post from CAL FIRE/San Diego County Fire, Helitender 33 is the first unit of its next-generation design among CAL FIRE's 11 helitack bases statewide. The agency says it plans to use the same specifications for future helitenders built throughout the department, making San Diego's new truck something of a blueprint for what comes next elsewhere in California.
The post describes Helitender 33 as a new mobile fueling unit added to the agency's aviation program, one that can be driven to temporary helibases at incidents throughout San Diego County and neighboring counties. That mobility matters because helicopters working a fire often operate out of makeshift bases set up close to the action rather than a fixed airport, and getting fuel to those spots quickly can determine how long aircraft stay airborne.
Keeping Helicopters Flying Longer
Per the same Facebook post, Helitender 33 provides fuel in the field to help maximize helicopter flight time and support ongoing aerial firefighting operations. Sikorsky S-70i CAL FIRE Hawk helicopters require a reliable fuel supply during vegetation fires and other extended incidents, and having a dedicated truck that can meet them at a temporary base cuts down on the need to shuttle back to a fixed helitack base to refuel.
How It Compares to Other Counties' Helitenders
San Diego isn't the first California county to field this kind of support vehicle. The Santa Barbara County Fire Department says its Air Support Unit uses a helitender during vegetation fires and other extended incidents, with the mobile truck holding 1,200 gallons of Jet A fuel and able to be driven to an incident's temporary base to help maximize flying time over the scene. That unit, based at Santa Ynez Airport near Station 32, also carries equipment, tools, and an extra water-dropping fire bucket that can be attached to a helicopter.
Helitender 33's 1,400-gallon capacity gives San Diego's version 200 more gallons than Santa Barbara's setup.
Part of a Broader Aviation Buildup
CAL FIRE's 11th Helitack base became operational at the recently upgraded Ramona airport, which completed a $12 million overhaul to support a new S70i Fire Hawk helicopter and crew, as reported by the Times of San Diego. That outlet also notes that in 2024, California became the first state in the nation to own and operate its own fleet of large, four-engine airtankers.
Separately, San Diego County is acquiring a Sikorsky S70 Firehawk to strengthen the region's aerial firefighting resources, according to the County News Center. That aircraft will join a regional fleet of 12 firefighting helicopters and planes, carrying up to 1,000 gallons of water and featuring a hoist for rescues. Under the arrangement, the county provides the helicopter while CAL FIRE handles staffing, maintenance, fuel, and training.
