Santa Maria Air Tanker Base Reaches Peak Fire Season Readiness
SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) - With just about one month into summer season, the Santa Maria Air Tanker Base is currently in peak fire season readiness mode.
The tanker base is operated by the U.S. Forest Service and is located on southern edge of the Santa Maria Airport, housed within the Central Coast Jet Center.
With temperatures now hitting triple digits regularly in parts of the Central Coast, throughout the region and across California and Western United States, the base now fully staffed to assist in aerial firefighting operations when an incident occurs.
Currently, there is about 50 personnel staffed at the base who are serving in a variety of firefighting positions, including those who work on the ground and in the air.
The amount is double the amount that typically works at the base during other parts of the year.
At this time the base is the temporary home for a MAFFS (Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System) air tanker from the California National Guard.
The MAFFS plane, as well as two smaller assist planes, are the only firefighting aircraft stationed right now at the base.
Last year, the Santa Maria Air Tanker Base celebrated the opening of its completely remodeled facility, which included the relocation of its operation center from the first floor of the Jet Center building to the second floor.
Other upgrades to the base included new and improved technology, pilot lounge, conference room, office space, kitchen, dining area and much more.
The base has also expanded it retardant pumping capabilities, not only adding additional tanks, but also upgrading its piping system, improving mixing efficiency.
There are now two more tanks on the base, providing an additional 45,000 gallons of storage space for fire retardant.
The new tanks have allowed the total amount of retardant on the base to jump from 100,000 gallons to 145,000 gallons.
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