California ramps up firefighting arsenal with new helicopter fleet
The acquisition of these last two Sikorsky S-70i Fire Hawk helicopters, according to state officials, now gives California 'the largest civilian helicopter firefighting fleet in the world.'
'One cannot understate the importance of these investments,' Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) said at a Thursday press conference.
'Seasons are no longer apt as it relates to California's realities — they're year-round,' the governor added.
Newsom stressed that within the previous 24 hours alone, California experienced 3,600 lightning strikes — initiating about 30 larger fires, 25 of which were on federal land.
Just 3 percent of California's forests are managed by the state, while 57 percent is controlled by the federal government. Another 40 percent is privately owned.
Because so many of the Golden State's forests are in federal hands, Newsom last month sent a model executive order to the White House for the president's consideration.
Due to federal cuts, the U.S. Forest Service has lost 10 percent of its frontline workforce and 25 percent to support personnel — a decision that the governor's office said is poised to impact wildfire response this year.
Newsom blasted the federal government at Thursday's press conference for including a reduction of $450 million in grants for vegetation and forest management in the 'Big Beautiful Bill' — criticizing President Trump's support for 'raking the forest.'
'We've never received a rake, and all we received this year were cuts of $450 million nationwide to aid and advance those efforts,' Newsom said.
'In the absence of federal leadership and responsibility, we are stepping into that void,' the governor declared.
California, Newsom pledged, is 'more committed to prepositioning, protecting and continuing to prevent to the extent possible the impacts of mother nature.'
The completion of Fire Hawk helicopter deliveries marks the fulfillment of commitments made two decades ago regarding the need to invest in technologies that be an upgrade from those previously available — 1950s-engineered Huey US1H helicopters used during the Vietnam War.
CAL FIRE, which first used the Huey helicopters for reconnaissance and transport in the 1960s, eventually adapted them for fire suppression — thanks to their ability to function in challenging terrain, per the governor's office.
The transition to the S-70i Fire Hawks, which began in 2018, expands water-dropping capacity up to three times that of their predecessors, a fact sheet from Newsom's team stated. The helicopters are also outfitted for extended night operations and can operate during these hours at low altitudes and over complex terrains.
The Fire Hawks, per the governor's office, also offer a higher degree of flight safety and can hold more crew members, offering greater deployment flexibility.
Without the deployment of the Fire Hawks, the governor noted, the blazes that burned in the Los Angeles region this past winter would have been far worse than they were. These helicopters, he explained, also regularly do nighttime suppression.
'At the end of the day, these helicopters are here to serve and support the people of California, both our residents and our visitors,' Joe Tyler, CAL FIRE chief and director, said at the press conference. 'It is to protect our resources.'
In addition to the completion of the Fire Hawk deliveries, Newsom referred recent progress made in the California Vegetation Treatment Program, which involves the usage of prescribed burns, mechanical and manual treatments, herbicide applications and intentional herbivory to decrease hazardous vegetation.
More than 50 new vegetation management projects that span almost 12,000 acres were fast-tracked for approval via a March 2025 state of emergency proclamation, per the governor's office.
State officials, Newsom reiterated, are 'doing all we can to meet these challenges head on, and all we can to keep people safe as we move to the peak of wildfire season.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Washington Post
an hour ago
- Washington Post
Texas and California joust for political advantage, with Trump power and US House majority in play
AUSTIN, Texas — The nation's two most populous states — California and Texas — grappled for political advantage in advance of 2026 elections that could reorder the balance of power in Washington and threaten President Donald Trump's agenda at the midpoint of his second term. In Texas, Democrats on Monday prevented their state's House of Representatives from moving forward, at least for now, with a redrawn congressional map sought by Trump to shore up Republicans' 2026 midterm prospects as his political standing falters. In California, Democrats encouraged by Gov. Gavin Newsom are considering new political maps that could slash five Republican-held House seats in the liberal-leaning state while bolstering Democratic incumbents in other battleground districts. The move is intended to undercut any GOP gains in Texas, potentially swinging House control and giving Democrats a counterweight to Trump on Capitol Hill. A draft plan aims to boost the Democratic margin in California to 48 of 52 congressional seats, according to a source familiar with the plan who was not authorized to discuss it publicly. That's up from the 43 seats the party now holds. It would need approval from lawmakers and voters, who may be skeptical to give it after handing redistricting power to an independent commission years ago. The rivalry puts a spotlight on two states that for years have dueled over jobs, innovation, prestige — even sports — with the backdrop of clashing political visions — one progressive, one conservative. After dozens of Democrats left Texas, the Republican-dominated House was unable to establish the quorum of lawmakers required to do business. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has made threats about removing members who are absent from their seats. Democrats counter that Abbott is using 'smoke and mirrors' to assert legal authority he does not have. The House quickly issued civil arrest warrants for absent Democrats and Abbott ordered state troopers to help find and arrest them, but lawmakers physically outside Texas are beyond the jurisdiction of state authorities. 'If you continue to go down this road, there will be consequences,' House Speaker Rep. Dustin Burrows said from the chamber floor, later telling reporters that includes fines. Democrats' revolt and Abbott's threats intensified a fight over congressional maps that began in Texas but now includes Democratic governors who have pitched redrawing their district maps in retaliation — even if their options are limited . The dispute also reflects Trump's aggressive view of presidential power and his grip on the Republican Party nationally, while testing the longstanding balance of powers between the federal government and individual states. The impasse centers on Trump's effort to get five more GOP-leaning congressional seats in Texas, at Democrats' expense, before the midterms . That would bolster his party's chances of preserving its fragile U.S. House majority, something Republicans were unable to do in the 2018 midterms during Trump's first presidency. Republicans currently hold 25 of Texas' 38 seats. That's nearly a 2-to-1 advantage and already a wider partisan gap than the 2024 presidential results: Trump won 56.1% of Texas ballots, while Democrat Kamala Harris received 42.5%. According to the tentative California proposal, districts now held by Republican Reps. Ken Calvert, Darrell Issa, Kevin Kiley, David Valadao and Doug LaMalfa would see right-leaning voters shaved and Democratic voters boosted in a shift that would make it likely a left-leaning candidate would prevail in each race. In battleground districts held by Democratic Reps. Dave Min, Mike Levin and Derek Tran, the party's edge would be boosted to strengthen their hold on the seats, the source said. Democratic members of California's congressional delegation were briefed on the new map on Monday, according to a person familiar with the meeting who requested anonymity to discuss private conversations. The proposal is being circulated at the same time that Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom has said he wants to advance partisan redistricting. He says he won't move ahead if Texas pauses its efforts. Newsom said he'd call a special election for the first week of November. Voters would weigh a new congressional map drawn by the Democratic-controlled Legislature. 'California will not sit by idly and watch this democracy waste away,' Newsom said Monday. More than 1,800 miles (2,900 kilometers) from Austin, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul appeared with Texas Democrats and argued their cause is national. 'We're not going to tolerate our democracy being stolen in a modern-day stagecoach heist by a bunch of law-breaking cowboys,' Hochul said Monday. 'If Republicans are willing to rewrite rules to give themselves an advantage, then they're leaving us with no choice: We must do the same. You have to fight fire with fire.' In Texas, legislators who left the state declined to say how long they'll hold out. 'We recognized when we got on the plane that we're in this for the long haul,' said Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer while in Illinois. Texas House Democratic Caucus leader Gene Wu said members 'will do whatever it takes' but added, 'What that looks like, we don't know.' Legislative walkouts often only delay passage of a bill , like in 2021, when many Democrats left Texas for 38 days to protest proposed voting restrictions. Once they returned, Republicans passed that measure. Lawmakers cannot pass bills in the 150-member House without two-thirds of members present. Democrats hold 62 seats in the majority-Republican chamber, and at least 51 left the state, according to a Democratic aide. The Texas Supreme Court held in 2021 that House leaders could 'physically compel the attendance' of missing members, but no Democrats were forcibly brought back to the state after warrants were served. Republicans answered by adopting $500 daily fines for lawmakers who don't show. Abbott, meanwhile, continues to make unsubstantiated claims that some lawmakers have committed felonies by soliciting money to pay for potential fines for leaving Texas during the session. ___ Barrow reported from Atlanta. Blood reported from Los Angeles. Associated Press writers Joey Cappelletti in Washington, John Hanna in Topeka, Kansas, and Andrew DeMillo in Little Rock, Arkansas, also contributed to this report.
New York Post
2 hours ago
- New York Post
Fleeing Texas Dems side with Newsom as redistricting standoff continues: ‘All out war'
Advertisement California Gov. Gavin Newsom said he is ready to fight 'fire with fire' as state Republican lawmakers try to enact redistricting in Texas, opposing the move though promising to pursue similar measures if needed. At a press conference on Monday, Newsom said he supports independent redistricting, as well as a national framework, and a proposal being advanced in the legislature reinforces what he supports. 'The proposal that we're advancing with the legislature has a trigger only if they move forward, to dismantling the protocols that are well-established,' the governor said. 'Would the state of California move forward in kind? Fighting? Yes, fire with fire.' When asked about a meeting between California Democrats on Sunday night, during which time they drafted or were almost done with the draft of redistricting maps, and whether he had seen those maps, Newsom said he had not. Advertisement But he said there has been an ongoing series of conversations into the evening last night, which continued on Monday morning and will continue until Democrats land on a process. 'That process has to have the concurrence, the support of two-thirds of the legislature,' he said. 'The maps, we believe, should be transparent. They should be provided in a transparent way to the public, and as a consequence, those maps are being processed and will be brought to light.' 6 California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during a news conference with Texas lawmakers at the Governor's Mansion on July 25, 2025 in Sacramento, California. Getty Images At the end of the day, though, Newsom said the people of California will have the ultimate say. Advertisement 'We will offer them the opportunity to make judgments for themselves, again, only if Texas moves forward,' Newsom said. 'I'll reinforce that we believe it should be a national model, independent national redistricting, and it would revert back to its original form, but it's done in response to the existential realities that we're now facing. Things have changed, facts have changed, so we must change.' 'They've triggered this response and we're not going to roll over and we're going to fight fire with fire, but we're going to do so not just punching with the weight of the fourth largest economy, the most populous state in our union, the size of 21 state populations combined,' he continued. 'We also will punch above our weight in terms of the impact of what we're doing, and I think that should be absorbed by those in the Texas delegation. Whatever they are doing will be neutered here in the state of California, and they will pay that price.' 6 California Gov. Gavin Newsom met with Texas lawmakers to push back on Texas's redistricting maneuver that aims to tilt the outcome of the 2026 midterm elections and on how California plans to respond. Getty Images California GOP Chairwoman Corrin Rankin told Fox News Digital that Newsom's actions could threaten the constitutional rights of Californians while also setting a dangerous precedent. Advertisement 'While Governor Newsom frames this redistricting as a defensive move, it undermines California's nationally respected, voter-approved Citizens Redistricting Commission, and if successful, sets a dangerous precedent that voters' choices can be overruled whenever politicians find it politically convenient,' Rankin said. 'Our primary concern is safeguarding Californians' constitutional rights against partisan manipulation disguised as defending democracy; true democracy means empowering voters, not politicians, to decide representation.' Dozens of Texas Democrats fled their state and went to Chicago and New York on Sunday night in an effort to block a redistricting vote on Monday. 6 President Donald Trump and Texas Governor Greg Abbott participate in a round table event at the Hill Country Youth Event Center to discuss last week's flash flooding on July 11, 2025 in Kerrville, Texas. Getty Images Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has since threatened to arrest and expel the lawmakers if they do not return by Monday afternoon. Shortly after Abbott released his statement, the Texas House Democratic Caucus issued a simple response, writing: 'Come and take it.' The statement also described Republicans' proposed districts, which would potentially secure five new GOP US House seats in next year's midterm elections, as a 'racist mid-decade redistricting scheme.' Abbott criticized the Democrats' dramatic departure, saying that 'real Texans don't run from a fight.' On Monday evening, Illinois lawmakers hosted Texas Democrats for a press conference, during which time none of the lawmakers took a single question from the press. Advertisement 6 Abbott speaks to a group of event attendees for his Parent Empowerment Night event where he advocated for school choice and vouchers at Temple Christian School in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 6, 2025. TNS Still, Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Ill., welcomed her colleagues and said they could stay as long as they wanted because they believed in what they were doing. 'What you're doing and what…they're trying to do in Texas affects you guys, but it affects the whole country,' she said. 'When you want to remove five Democrats…that hurts us in the House.' She explained that when there are not enough Democrats, things like the Big Beautiful Bill, or as she referred to it as 'the Big Ugly Bill,' and other Republican initiatives get through. Advertisement 'They are trying to destroy our democracy, destroy fairness in our country,' Kelly said. 'And unfortunately, they're starting with Texas. But we want you to know, we stand by your side.' Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., accused Abbott of not stepping up for the people affected by devastating floods in the Hill Country region of Texas. 6 The Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025. Bloomberg via Getty Images Specifically, he accused Abbott of not having a special session to help families rebuild, but instead of doing 'the bidding' of President Donald Trump to 'banish Democrats' from the federal delegation. Advertisement Krishnamoorthi then directed his comments to Abbott, saying, 'don't mess with Texas,' because the people standing with him represent Texas. 'You can silence them. You can smear them. You can saddle them with debts and fins. But you cannot intimidate them,' Krishnamoorthi said. 'You can gerrymander the hell out of that map. Guess what? Two can play that game. That's right. Other states will do exactly the same thing and neutralize what you're trying to do in Texas.' Other lawmakers standing side-by-side in Illinois chose to accuse Trump's policies of being race-driven. Texas State Rep. Ana-Maria Rodriguez Ramos said Trump's policies hurt working families. Advertisement 'That is nothing short of racism,' she said. 'He is coming after all of us who don't look like him and his Republican colleagues in the Texas House.' Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, followed Rodriguez Ramos with more accusations of racism, saying Republicans are doing what Trump has insisted be done. 'I want you to know that we didn't introduce the race card when this message was sent by and through the Justice Department to the State of Texas, to our attorney general,' he said. 'They mentioned the race card because they talked about racial gerrymandering. They brought it up, and when they brought it up, they did it, knowing that this was a buzz word. It was a trigger.' 'They know that that's a buzz word that people would respond to in Texas, but we are going to respond to that buzz word by telling them that your racism is not going to change democracy in the state of Texas,' Green continued. 'In the United States of America, racism is going to be met with our taking a stand for democracy. You take a stand for racism, we will stand for democracy, and we will win.' 6 Abbott criticized the Democrats' dramatic departure, saying that 'real Texans don't run from a fight.' Bloomberg via Getty Images Rep. Julie Johnson, D-Texas, said she was pleased that states like California and New York were standing up for Texas Democrats because, once it happens in Texas, it will spread to other states. She called the issue a 'national war,' and 'an all-out war' in which everything is on the table. 'We come from a state of great pride, and I never thought as a Texan, as an elected member of the Texas House of Representatives and now as an elected member from Texas to the United States House of Representatives, that I would see the governor of the proud state of Texas bend a knee to a felon from New York,' Johnson added. 'I never thought I'd see the day, but here we are.' Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, was also standing with fellow Democrats in Illinois and accused Abbott of talking 'a lot of noise.' She also accused Republicans of being 'weak.' 'The difference is they expect Democrats to kind of be the nice guys that we are,' Crockett said. 'They expect us to take the punch and say thank you. Well, I am here to tell you not only are we going to punch back, but we about to beat you down.' Still, Abbott told Fox News host Sean Hannity on Monday that Texas is doing what it is allowed to do by law. He also accused state Democrats of doing something 'un-Texas' by turning their back on Texans and not dealing with the flooding issues still echoing across the state. Abbott said four of the five seats that could change because of redistricting will be primarily Hispanic. 'These are seats where Democrats are having to come to grips with reality,' he said, explaining that Democrats are losing votes to Hispanics and Black voters in Texas. He also said Democrats are 'freaking out' because they are realizing Texas has the authority to redistrict. 'Texas will continue to fight for what is right,' Abbott said. Fox News Digital's Anders Hagstrom and Elizabeth Pritchett contributed to this report.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
California could slash 5 GOP US House seats to counter Texas' move to pad Republican margin
The Brief Democrats are responding to Texas Republicans with plans to redraw political maps that could slash 5 GOP-held House seats. The Dems' move is to counter Republican plans to redraw House districts to strengthen the hold on the chamber in 2026. The move would make is so left-leaning candidates would prevail in certain California races. SACRAMENTO, Calif. - California Democrats are considering new political maps that could slash five Republican-held House seats in the liberal-leaning state while bolstering Democratic incumbents in other battleground districts. The move comes in direct response to efforts by Texas Republicans to redraw House districts in order to strengthen the GOP hold on the chamber in 2026. A draft plan that's circulating aims to boost the Democratic margin to 48 of California's 52 congressional seats, according to a source familiar with the plan who was not authorized to discuss it publicly. That's up from the 43 seats the party now holds. It would need approval from lawmakers and voters, who may be skeptical to give it after handing redistricting power to an independent commission years ago. In addition, the proposal would generously pad Democratic margins in districts for competitive seats anchored in Orange County, San Diego County and the Central Valley farm belt, giving Democrats a potential advantage as Texas Republicans try to sway the tissue-thin balance of the House. Gov. Gavin Newsom confirmed Monday that Democratic lawmakers are preparing legislation to place the proposal on the November 4 ballot. The plan would temporarily suspend California's independent redistricting commission and allow the legislature to approve new congressional maps. Newsom said California is reacting to actions taken by Texas. "We're working with the legislature on a trigger that if they do move forward, California will not sit by idly and watch this democracy waste away. We'll fight fire with fire," said Newsom. He called out President Donald Trump for trying to tilt the balance of power in Congress. "If they can't win playing the game with the existing set of rules, they'll change the rules. That's what Donald Trump has done. He's dialing for seats. Familiar because he dialed for votes in the last election," he added. According to the proposal, districts now held by Republican Reps. Ken Calvert, Darrell Issa, Kevin Kiley, David Valadao and Doug LaMalfa would see right-leaning voters shaved and Democratic voters boosted in a shift that would make it likely a left-leaning candidate would prevail in each race. In districts held by Democratic Reps. Dave Min, Mike Levin and Derek Tran, the party's edge would be boosted to strengthen their hold on the seats, the source said. Democratic members of California's congressional delegation were briefed on the new map on Monday, according to a person familiar with the meeting who requested anonymity to discuss private conversations. Newsom said the proposal would be fully transparent and distinct from the process in Texas, where critics say maps were drawn behind closed doors and rushed through. "One has nothing to do with the other," Newsom said. "The ultimate test of transparency is what's in the voting pamphlet. ultimate test of transparency is what's in the voting pamphlet. The ultimate test of transparency is what voters will decide on full light of day, completely public." Tight timeline The timeline is tight. State lawmakers are on recess until August 18, leaving just weeks to draft legislation, hold hearings, and finalize ballot language before election deadlines. Political analyst Brian Sobel said the proposal faces logistical hurdles but could ultimately succeed. "It really is a little bit of a wait and see here as to whether Governor Newsom tries to get this on the ballot for November, because maps have to be presented and brought to the ballot. And that is a uphill challenge, since we're very late in the summer now." Sobel said. "But again, the governor has to come to the state of California, the residents, the voters, actually, and say, 'Hey, do you want this new map?' Odds are he gets a win there." Republican U.S. Rep. Kevin Kiley announced federal legislation Monday that would ban mid-decade redistricting nationwide. His bill would invalidate any maps drawn outside the standard 10-year census cycle, including those proposed in Texas and California. "That's why I've introduced a bill that applies to every state and is designed, whether it's a red state or a blue state, to just bring some sanity to the situation here. So let's take a deep breath. Let's get on with the things that really matter to the country. Rather than spending all of this time and attention and money on redistricting when it's not supposed to be happening," he said. California Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas said the Democratic caucus met Sunday night to discuss the proposal and is prepared to support it. He described it as a response to what he called "a continued, blatant Trumpian power grab." Newsom said lawmakers are mindful of the timeline and he's confident the proposal can make it onto the November ballot. Associated Press writers Tran Nguyen in Sacramento and Joey Cappelletti in Washington contributed, as well as KTVU's Betty Yu.
