CABAZON, Calif. (AP) — Mark Whaling and his team raced up and down the hills in tanker trucks to combat wildfires in Los Angeles County, quickly sourcing water from street fire hydrants to stay ahead of flames advancing up the ridge. Helicopters carried out water drops but had to travel long distances to refill, allowing fire to continue destroying homes that could have been saved.
During the battles against fires in the early 2000s, Whaling discovered a sealed million-gallon aquarium that firefighters could not access, which he found absurd.
“We don’t instruct fire trucks to protect the city and find their own water. We’ve installed fire hydrants every 600 feet across the city,” said Whaling, who has since retired from the county fire department. “However, we didn’t adequately support helicopters.”
Retired firefighter Mark Whaling stands in front of a small open tank in Cabazon, California on Friday, April 11, 2025, in front of a small open tank where helicopters can get water faster due to city fires.
Whaling’s frustration inspired an innovative solution. Helicopter oil tanks, small open tanks that can be quickly filled with water, allow helicopters to replenish quickly during city fires, eliminating the need for them to fly far away to lakes and ponds.
As wildfires increase, Whaling’s invention has caught the attention of officials eager to improve preparedness. According to him, which was first implemented during Yorba Linda’s 2020 Blue Ridge Fire, 10 helicopter oil tanks have been installed in Southern California, with another 16 in progress.
Helicopters play a crucial role in firefighting, being able to drop 1,000 gallons (approximately 3,785 liters) of water at a time—more than a hose can manage and ideal for tackling fires that are inaccessible to ground crews.
However, pilots often need to travel long distances to collect water, and in drought-stricken areas, natural sources may be inadequate as they might be depleted. In some counties of southern California, helicopters have had to go up to 10 miles just to find water.
Innovative Solutions
The newly installed helicopter oil plant, a small open tank that helicopters can rely on to get water faster for city fires, is sitting in Cabazon, California on Friday, April 11, 2025.
Remote in Cabazon, contractor Glen Chavez stood on a ladder, looking into the helicopter oil tank. With a radio in hand, he pressed a button to activate the system, watching water flow into the tank. It filled up to 8,500 gallons (32,176 liters) in about 6 minutes.
Chavez, a general contractor, was testing the latest investments in the Cabazon Water District. This marks the second helicopter tank local officials have implemented to safeguard the town. At a cost of $300,000, it’s slightly below the average price of a home in Cabazon.
“Living in a beautiful desert community, there’s a fire risk,” remarked Michael Pollack, the district’s general manager. “Having these helicopter oil tanks is a significant advantage. Residents feel more at ease knowing there’s another tool to combat fires in their neighborhoods.”
The pilot can activate the tank remotely from half a mile away, and the tanks typically fill quickly via the city’s water system. A helicopter can be filled in under a minute. Once activated, the solar panels and backup batteries ensure the system remains operational during power outages. At night, tank lights and nearby towers assist pilots in navigation.
In November, San Diego firefighters tested this system when a fire in Fallbrook’s 48-acre garden, known for its avocado orchards, prompted evacuation orders. The helicopter accessed the tank nearly 40 times.
Pilot Ben Brown noted he saved fuel by operating closer to the fire.
“They’re invaluable, especially where natural water sources may be scarce,” he said. “The more dip sites available, the better, particularly in the county’s drier regions.”
But They Don’t Always Help
Helicopter watering systems have raised concerns regarding their placement in urban areas where homes, buildings, and power lines pose obstacles to flights and require more confined spaces.
In these instances, firefighters might opt to fly further to natural water sources that provide helicopters with additional space, noted Warren Foss, a deputy pilot with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department. A pilot’s priority is to approach and depart against the wind for safety, necessitating ample room to navigate.
Occasionally, a city’s water system may run dry in the midst of a significant fire. For instance, during the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles, a million-gallon tank burned, which helped pressurize the city’s fire hydrants in Pallisades close to the Pacific Ocean.
Helicopters can also struggle to access these sources. With strong winds, flying becomes nearly impossible. Hurricane-force winds can ground the first aerial firefighting units responding to wildfires in Los Angeles. If several helicopters respond to a large blaze, they may be unable to all utilize the helihydrants. Additionally, smoke can hinder visibility.
Portable water tanks can address some of the functionalities of helihydrants, but they often require extra time, personnel, and equipment to set up.
Heli hydrant Offers Hope to Community
Glen Chavez sets the distance for the helicopter pilot to activate the helihydrant. Helicopters are small open tanks that allow faster access to water during city fires in Cabazon, California on Friday, April 11, 2025 (AP Photo/Brittany Peterson).
Areas where wild vegetation intersects with human development are always at risk of fire, and more people are now residing in these zones. Meanwhile, climate change is creating conditions that render these areas drier and more flammable.
Jake Wiley has witnessed wildfires devastate his community. Two fires in 2007 and 2017 collectively destroyed over 400 structures in San Diego. The most recent fire led to an evacuation for Wiley, who is now the general manager of the Rainbow Municipal Water District.
The fire also prompted local agencies to install helicopter water tanks. In November, when the garden fire erupted, these tanks played a vital role in enabling firefighters to protect their homes.
“Seeing the worst can really change your perspective,” Wiley reflected. “Anything we can do is beneficial.”
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