A C-130 that only recently joined the Cal Fire fleet has been in action fighting fires in Sonoma, Solano and Butte counties

The retrofitted C-130 Hercules, a former USCG aircraft, was converted into an air tanker to carry 4,000 gallons of fire retardant, more than triple the capacity of currentr Cal Fire tankers. There are plans in place to transfer six more former USCG C-130s to Cal Fire, with another expected to be ready for service by the end of 2024.

Since entering service the aircraft has been called upon to fight fires on 17 occasions in Sonoma County, Solano County and in Butte County.