Normally it’s mid-June when the Grass Valley Air Attack Base gets busy out at the Nevada County Airport, but this year, they are starting early because of the drought and dry conditions. CalFire is officially beginning operations today, and Battalion Chief Jake Sjolund says that means the airport is going to be busy…
Sjolund says the Grass Valley base serves a large area…
And, like fire departments on the ground, if there is a fire out of the area, and the planes are available, they will respond to that blaze as well. Once the planes start flying, people like to come out and watch, and Airport Manager Lee Ocker says they are more than welcome…
Ocker says the county has also provided a new fuel truck for the base, and CalFire is adding a retardant plant to enable the planes to load faster and more frequently. The base is expected to be staffed until October.
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