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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.
