Massive helicopter operation staged at Redlands Airport to fight Line Fire

REDLANDS, Calif. — At the base of the San Bernardino Mountains, Redlands Municipal Airport has become a pivotal staging ground in the aerial battle against the Line fire, which has scorched more than 20,500 acres as of Sunday night.

Helicopter crews from across the country are based at Redlands Airport, launching regular missions to support firefighting efforts on the ground. Despite firefighters facing difficult terrain and limited fire breaks, the aerial assistance has proven essential in slowing the blaze, which began in Highland on Thursday, Sept. 5, and was 0% contained Sunday night.

Among the first responders were helicopter pilots David Smith and Tim Lintz, who arrived from Lancaster on Thursday evening. The pair, part of an initial attack team from Siller Helicopters Inc. contracted by the National Forest Service, helped slow the fire's early spread.

“I’d say that first day, we held the fire at about 700 acres,” said Smith, a veteran pilot with Siller since 1991. “But once night fell, the fire took off.”

Hernan Sotela, the U.S. Forest Service manager assigned to the crew, credited their efforts with protecting nearby Highland neighborhoods on Friday.

“These guys worked hard,” Sotela said. “They’re limited to eight hours of flight time a day, and they flew 7.9, dumping 118,900 gallons of water. I’ve never seen anything like it in my 25 years managing aerial firefighting.”

Redlands Airport's Strategic Advantage

Sotela emphasized the importance of the airport’s proximity to a water source, enabling quick turnarounds for refueling and reloading.

“Redlands is one of the few airports between Interstate 15 and the 5 Freeway that can handle a large helicopter operation,” he said.

The airport’s vast ramp space and open areas are ideal for landing large helicopters. While the undeveloped land around the airport might seem tempting for other uses, Sotela stressed that maintaining it is critical for wildfire response.

As Sotela spoke, a massive helicopter flew overhead, stirring up wind and debris. “That wind could damage cars and property if it’s too close. We need flat, open spaces like this.”

Ted Gablin, president of the Redlands Airport Association, said the airport is fully committed to supporting the firefighting crews. The city of Redlands has established temporary flight restrictions to prevent interference with emergency aircraft.

“These pilots have enough to worry about without dealing with small planes in their way,” said Gablin.

On Sunday, Sept. 8, the 7-day average of aircraft departure and landing at Redlands airport reached 160, double the daily average. With the flight restriction in place by 9 a.m. Sunday, the vast majority of those flights were related to the Line fire, said Gablin.

Vintage Helicopter, Modern Fire Response

While fixed-wing aircraft drops fire retardant from higher altitudes, helicopters provide more direct water dumps, a crucial part of fighting the flames.

The CH-54A Sikorsky Skycrane, one of only about 55 still flying worldwide, plays a key role. With the ability to carry 2,650 gallons of water, the vintage helicopter can fill its tank in just 45 seconds.

Originally designed for the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, the twin-engine heavy-lift helicopter now serves Siller Helicopters Inc.

Sotela explained the "genius" design of the helicopter can carry its cargo close to its body, which reduces air resistance and prevents the cargo from swinging back and forth while flying.

“It’s amazing to be part of this operation and a piece of American history,” said Sotela.

The five-member team, including pilots, mechanics, and a crew chief, comes from across the U.S. and Canada. While the pilots work 12-day rotations, the rest of the team works 14-day shifts. However, when the smoke thickened on Sunday, the team was temporarily grounded under visual flight rules until conditions improved.

Once clear skies returned, Smith and Lintz received their mission orders. After a quick stop at the water source in the Santa Ana Wash, the crew resumed their efforts, using their helicopter’s aerial perspective to guide ground crews.

“They guide us to exactly where they want the water," said Smith. 

The aerial view provided by the glass cockpit provides a different perspective for the ground crew who are often standing on the roadside or in the forest. 

“From our viewpoint, things look different. It’s all about coordination,” explained Smith.

The Fire Rages On

On Saturday night Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency to secure federal assistance to support the response. By Sunday morning, Cal Fire announced that the Line fire had grown by 10,000 acres.

With more than 35,000 structures at risk, additional aircraft were en route to assist.

“This fire is now one of California’s top priorities,” Sotela said. “And it’s not even Santa Ana season yet.”

By Sunday night 18 helicopters were assigned to the fire.

As the Siller crew continued their mission, another helicopter from CHI Aviation, flown by two female pilots, prepared for takeoff. Their arrival from Michigan marks yet another chapter in the massive response effort, as crews battle against both the fire and the unpredictable elements.

Lintz, experiencing his first fire season, noted that years of wet weather have created overgrown conditions that now fuel the blaze.

“The last few years have been wet, and all that grass and undergrowth is just burning off now,” he explained.

Sotela remains hopeful that a break in the weather will give firefighters the upper hand. Cooler temperatures and higher humidity, he said, are exactly what they need to bring the Line Fire under control.

The lastest information on the Line Fire is available at Fire.Ca.gov.

Editor's note: this article was updated to clarify the number of flights in and out of Redlands airport.