By David Caraccio
Merced Sun-Star
RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. — A new video shows the first fully operational C-130H delivering 8,000 gallons of retardant on the Record Fire in Riverside County, marking its inaugural firefighting mission over the weekend.
Tanker 122 has joined the fleet of the state’s firefighting agency, CAL FIRE.
“This marks an historic milestone in the agency’s ongoing commitment to CA!” Cal Fire chief Joe Tylor said on X.
California officials waited more than five years to get the first of several military aircraft they were promised by the federal government to help fight fires across the state.
(c)2024 the Merced Sun-Star (Merced, Calif.)
Visit the Merced Sun-Star (Merced, Calif.) at www.mercedsunstar.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
A recent White House event raises a question that both fire and EMS leaders should ask about who is being left out
October 19, 2026 12:30 PM
·
Officials said a fire believed to be contained suddenly shifted a kilometer in 36 seconds, overtaking soldiers conducting live-fire combat training at a base in Alberta, leaving 19 people in critical condition among 39 total injured
October 19, 2026 07:16 AM
·
A Humboldt County man was arrested on suspicion of recklessly starting a fire and remains a person of interest in two other recent fires
October 18, 2026 07:21 AM
Orange County Fire Authority’s new partnership lets commanders model how actions like containment lines affect a fire’s spread, while a separate $300,000 FireWERX competition seeks technology to track firefighters working in remote areas with unreliable communications
October 18, 2026 07:21 AM