State Seeks Grant to Keep Forest Firefighting Operation in San Jacinto Valley

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection is asking the state for $25 million to build a new base for firefighting aircraft at Hemet-Ryan Airport.

Plans call for demolishing the 1950s-era base now at the Hemet airport and replacing it with state-of-the-art buildings and facilities that should help improve firefighting capabilities, said county and CDF officials.

Riverside County Executive Officer Robin Zimpfer made the announcement at the recent Third District Economic Development Forum in San Jacinto. She said the county's economic development agency, which owns the airport, assisted CDF in submitting a budget package to fund the proposed facility.

Riverside County contracts with CDF for fire-protection services.

The planned base affirms CDF's commitment to stay at Hemet-Ryan Airport, said CDF fire Capt. Patrick Tomlinson.

"It's been a good place for us for 50 years, and from the way it's looking, it's going to be a good place for us for another 50 years," said Tomlinson, who is stationed at Hemet-Ryan.

CDF had suggested moving firefighting aircraft from Hemet-Ryan to March Air Reserve Base in Moreno Valley, but those plans were abandoned last year. Officials concluded that leaving the aircraft at Hemet-Ryan is safer for pilots because of better weather conditions and because it would provide quicker response for fire-prone mountain communities.

"We're very happy to hear about the upgrades," said Mike Esnard, president of the Idyllwild-based Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council. The group lobbied to have CDF stay at Hemet-Ryan.

Deanna Lorson, assistant director of the Riverside County Economic Development Agency, said the new base would enhance the airport. "The CDF attack base is a very important resource," she said.

A budget package has been submitted to the state, likely for inclusion in California's 2008-09 budget, Tomlinson said. If it's approved and everything goes according to plan, construction could begin in 2009 and the base could be completed in 2011, he said. He said a temporary base would be set up within the airport to provide fire protection while the permanent base is being built.

Tomlinson said the new base replaces a facility the department has outgrown. The base, which could be tapped to fight fires throughout the state, provides primary fire protection for Riverside County and the northern part of San Diego County.

The existing facility, Tomlinson said, includes a triple-wide trailer and at least one building that is a remnant of World War II.

"Even eating sometimes is difficult," he said. During peak fire season, when about 35 firefighters are stationed at the site, there's hardly room to move around, he said.

The new facility, he said, would include larger administrative offices, barracks for the firefighters, fire-retardant loading areas, hangars for the aircraft, and repair and maintenance facilities.

The base is home for two S-2 Turbine firefighting aircraft, an air traffic controller, and a Huey helicopter, Tomlinson said.

He said the improvements should result in improved fire protection since the facility would be able to handle larger operations and offer better coordination.

The new facility would also improve pilot safety, since pilots would have a place to rest after firefighting efforts.

News stories provided by third parties are not edited by "Site Publication" staff. For suggestions and comments, please click the Contact link at the bottom of this page.