Cal Fire airtankers are drop fire retardant on hotspots for a quick initial attack on wildfires. Photo: Kayla Bartkowski / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Cal Fire operates the largest civil aerial firefighting fleet in the world, with nearly 70airtankers, helicopters, and other aircraft.
They're strategically stationed at bases across the state and capable of reaching remote fires within 20 minutes.
Cal Fire helicopters drop water, deploy crews and help with rescues. Photo: Apu Gomes/AFP via Getty ImagesA Cal Fire helicopter picks up water from Lower Otay Lake. Photo: Zoë Meyers/AFP via Getty Images