GRASS VALLEY, Calif. — On Monday, June 1, CAL FIRE positioned one aerial supervision aircraft (Air Attack 230) and one air tanker (Tanker 88) at the Grass Valley Air Attack Base in preparation for the 2026 wildfire season. U.S. Forest Service Air Attack 17 began operations from the base last week, and a second air tanker is scheduled to begin operations in mid-June.
Strategically located in the Sierra Nevada foothills, the Grass Valley Air Attack Base serves as a critical base for rapid aerial response to wildfires throughout the region. The facility has operated continuously since 1958 and is one of California’s six original air tanker bases.
The base is jointly staffed and operated by CAL FIRE and the U.S. Forest Service, reflecting a long-standing cooperative partnership in wildfire suppression. Grass Valley consistently ranks among the busiest air attack bases in the state for initial attack and new fire activity.
Aerial firefighting resources, including air tankers and air attack aircraft, play a significant role in wildfire suppression efforts by providing rapid response, coordinating air operations, and supporting firefighters on the ground during emerging incidents.
As California enters the peak fire season, residents are encouraged to take proactive steps to protect their homes and communities. Maintaining defensible space around structures remains one of the most effective actions property owners can take to reduce wildfire risk and improve firefighter safety.
The early positioning of aircraft and personnel at Grass Valley Air Attack Base underscores the commitment of CAL FIRE to maintaining a rapid and effective response capability throughout the Sierra Nevada and surrounding regions during the 2026 fire season.
Editor’s note: Always a welcome sight to see them return, here are a few photos from their arrival.
