California has CH-47 Chinook helicopters in its fleet for regional firefighting service. These are the largest aircraft in the world used in this type of operation. These rotorcraft will go into service during the fire season with the Quick Reaction Force (Qrf) in Los Angeles, Orange and Ventura counties. Each will have at its disposal a vehicle capable of releasing up to 11,300 liters of water or retardant liquid. 

"No one has ever had the ability to marshal these types of resources, large funds to fight a fire that escapes the initial attack or the extended attack", said Brian Fennessy, head of the Orange County Fire Authority county. 

This is a fundamental move to fight the fires in California, especially in the southern part of the state, an area which is regularly affected throughout the USA. The procurement of these helicopters was made possible thanks to 35 million dollars in funds made available through a public-private partnership between Southern California Edison and Coulson Aviation.