SDG&E’s Skycrane Makes Critical Difference in Knocking Down a Fast-Moving Fire in Barona

SDG&E’s Skycrane Makes Critical Difference in Knocking Down a Fast-Moving Fire in Barona

Early in the afternoon of July 18, a brushfire broke out near Featherstone Canyon Road in Barona, burning just east of the Barona Resort and Casino, roughly 32 miles northeast of downtown San Diego. Within minutes, the brushfire, dubbed the Feather Fire, had grown rapidly, charring chaparral and threatening structures in its path, and prompting an evacuation order for the residents of Barona Mesa.

When CAL FIRE officials realized how significant the fire could become, they called San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) for help. As in previous years, SDG&E had planned to bring the heli-tanker to San Diego August 1, but it was available even sooner and was ready for action July 1. Due to the training, readiness and expertise of the utility’s aviation services department, the Skycrane Heli-tanker 729 (aka “Goliath”) was launched quickly from its seasonal home at Gillespie Field in El Cajon. 

Quick response and control 

“From here to the fire was about 11 minutes,” said pilot John Walker. “As the fire started to decrease in activity, we could go across the head of it and stop it from advancing.”

In just under two hours, “Goliath,” which is 90-feet long with rotors spanning 72 feet in diameter, provided 11 air drops totaling more than 14,000 gallons of water.

“We have already seen several significant fires in the region,” said CAL FIRE Battalion Chief Steve Foster. “By being able to utilize SDG&E’s heli-tanker to supplement our air resources, crews were able to get the upper edge on the Feather Fire. Coordination with SDG&E on the dispatch of the tanker went very well and it was instrumental in gaining rapid control.”

Officials said a spark from mowing equipment in the area started the fire, which eventually burned a total of just 133 acres of brush; no homes were affected.

Strategic firefighting asset

“Heli-tanker 729 serves as a strategic firefighting asset for the region, capable of carrying up to 2,500 gallons of water per drop,” said Andy Krawczel, SDG&E aviation services manager. “SDG&E’s aviation services dispatches the helicopter, and, once it’s airborne, turns over operational control to the requesting agency’s air attack. This collaborative effort between SDG&E and local firefighting agencies is possible due to SDG&E’s commitment to emergency preparedness.”

In accordance with the agreement with San Diego County, SDG&E covers 100 percent of the expense of keeping the heli-tanker deployed in San Diego, as well as the operating cost for the first two hours it is in service for each fire. San Diego County covers the costs for an additional two hours per fire.

Watch "Goliath" in action (at 1:39 in the video) and also learn a lot more about how SDG&E is making the region safer.