Federal air tankers move to California following Cal Fire crash

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Cal Fire's fleet of 22 S-2T tankers remains grounded following the crash of Tanker 81 that killed its 62-year-old pilot at Yosemite National Park.

More than a dozen federal air tankers are now working here in California. The fleet was reassigned here since some of Cal Fire's fleet is grounded and this is the only state with a highly active fire season this late in the year.

No matter where they fly from, if they're Cal Fire or Federal planes air tankers have one job; to stop wildfires. The single mission comes with a ton of risk.

"I wish to express my sincere and deep condolences to Cal Fire, the wildfire community and the family of pilot that lost his life yesterday," said Kelly Martin with Yosemite National Park.

Difficult images were snapped moments after Tanker 81 crashed into a canyon wall at Yosemite.

Geoffrey "Craig" Hunt, 62, of San Jose was killed in the crash. Cal Fire says it's unclear what caused the deadly wreck, but its fleet of S2T tankers, many based in Porterville, is grounded.

And with continued high fire dangers the feds have already reassigned resources to California for backup.

"Fortunately, California is about the only state left with any kind of significant fire season activity," said Cal Fire Chief Ken Pimlott. "So from a federal level, they have been able to move these resources in."

More than a dozen federal air tankers are stationed across the state.

In Fresno, the air attack base monitors its aircraft that are currently working in northern California.

"That's the important part of it is to stop these fires in the initial stages in the start of the fire, and put them out before they become a more catastrophic large fire," said U.S. Forest Servce Air Attack Base Manager John Harpain.

That's why the resources are now California-based. Locally, the Forest Service says it's responded to more wildfire outbreaks than in previous years.

Both the Forest Service and Cal Fire say the state is ready to handle these dangerous conditions.

Meanwhile in Yosemite, The Dog Rock Fire is at 250 acres burned with 10 percent containment.

The aircraft are constantly moving around the state, based on the need. Two federal air tankers are being based in Merced for now. The majority are in southern California which is usually hardest hit by wildfires during October.