Base set up for helicopters to pick up retardant closer to Balch Camp

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- A temporary Mobile Retardant Base set up near Kirch Flat Campground is helping firefighters get closer to the front lines of the Garnet Fire, cutting down critical flight times for helicopters battling the blaze.

Located off Trimmer Springs Road, the base is one of several tactical efforts aimed at improving response time and efficiency.

Instead of flying back to distant airbases, helicopters can now land locally, refill with retardant and return to the fire within minutes.

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"The helicopters, instead of traveling all the way back into the airbase, they can do that kind of locally," said Jay Tracy, spokesperson for the Garnet Fire. "They'll come down into those designated areas, and they're able to refill and get back onto the fire a lot quicker."

Crews on site have set up two large tanks in the middle of a dirt field, where powdered retardant is mixed with water and pumped directly into the tanks.

Helicopters fly in, refill and lift off again in rapid succession.

With temperatures soaring, crews worked throughout the day to keep the mixture flowing, constantly adding water to meet demand.

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Tracy said the base has significantly shortened flight times to key areas like Balch Camp, which remains a focal point in the firefight.

"Conditions from Wednesday to Thursday have really helped," he said. "With the weather cooperating and kind of being more on our side, they're actually able to be a little more aggressive with some of the tactics and strategies they're applying to keep that fire within its current footprint."

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