Delivering for Our Hometowns: Helicopters Ready for Action During Wildfire Season

PG&E’s fleet of Blackhawk helicopters have been deployed to counties across Northern and Central California to help protect customers and hometowns during wildfire season.

The Blackhawks, better known as BlueHawks due to their PG&E paint scheme and logos, were placed in service on June 16 and will add to the initial-attack capability of fire departments in Butte, Marin and Merced counties. A fourth helicopter, a Type II known as Copter 1 and capable of carrying 300 gallons of water, is being used by the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, courtesy of PG&E.

“The use of these helicopters exemplifies our commitment to our Stand that ‘catastrophic wildfires shall stop’ while delivering for our hometowns,” said Jeff Millar, a PG&E director of Wildfire Operations.

In all, PG&E has provided $7 million to support the wildfire-season operations of the four helicopters. Contracts include the use of the helicopters, pilots and maintenance.

In 2024, PG&E’s four UH60 Blackhawks completed:

• 327.6 flight hours in support of firefighting in Northern and Central California
• 2,071 water drops equaling more than 1.7 million gallons of water dropped on 22 wildfires
• All four can be configured with 1,100-gallon belly tanks and snorkels for initial attack in urban areas or 900 gallon long-line buckets for tall, heavy timber forest fires.

PG&E shared two of the Blackhawks in January with Cal Fire to assist in the Los Angeles area wildfires.

Copter 1 is stationed in Byron in Contra Costa County and will be available seven days a week.

“A rapid initial attack is one of the most effective strategies we have in limiting the spread of wildfires. The addition of Copter 1 significantly enhances our ability to deliver water to the fire line within minutes of dispatch, giving ground crews a critical advantage in protecting life, property, and natural resources,” Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Wildland Battalion Chief Tom Zurflueh.

Millar called out Public Safety Specialist David Hawks, Pete Anderson of Aviation Services, Chris Hagan from Sourcing and PG&E Counsel Mike Hammond for their support in making the contracts with these counties a reality.

The Contra Costa County helicopter will be in service until Oct. 31. The three Blackhawks will operate for the counties until Nov. 1.