California’s unofficial state birds. 🚁✈️ CAL FIRE operates the world’s largest aerial firefighting fleet, with aircraft and aviation personnel supporting emergency response statewide. From air tankers to helicopters, CAL FIRE’s aviation fleet is equipped to support a wide range of missions. Highly trained pilots and aviation crews work closely with firefighters on the ground to deliver water and retardant, transport crews, support firing operations, conduct hoist rescues, and provide critical assistance throughout emergency response. #CALFIRE# #Aviation# #WildfireResponse# #Firefighting# #CaliforniaWildfires#

What happens when a wildfire outgrows a local response? When a wildfire grows large or becomes more complex, the local agency in charge may request support from a CAL FIRE Incident Management Team (IMT). So far this year, CAL FIRE IMTs have been activated 4 times to help manage complex incidents. The IMT steps in to take over the day-to-day management of the wildfire, coordinating personnel, aircraft, equipment, safety, and logistics from the agencies working together on the incident. This helps ensure the response stays organized while also allowing the local agency to keep its resources available for other emergencies, fires, and medical calls in its area. IMTs are made up of experienced firefighters and support staff who specialize in managing large, complex incidents and work together to keep the wildfire response coordinated, safe, and moving forward. #IncidentManagementTeams# #CALFIRE# #CaliforniaWildfires#

✈️ Aviation helps deliver a quick wildfire response. Early detection and an aggressive response are key as CAL FIRE works to keep 95% of wildfires to 10 acres or less. When a half-acre fire was reported near Auburn last month, CAL FIRE and partner agencies quickly responded. The #CombieFire# grew to 17 acres and triggered evacuation orders, but no injuries were reported and no homes were destroyed. @PlacerCA videographer Erik Bergen documented the @CALFIRENEU-led response. #NevadaCounty# #CALFIRE# #Wildfire#

Our strike teams are officially back from Colorado.   After several days supporting wildfire response through mutual aid, our personnel have safely returned to California. During their deployment, they worked on the Aspen Acres Fire and assisted on other incidents as conditions evolved, providing critical firefighting support wherever they were needed most.   Thank you to our partners in Colorado for their collaboration and coordination throughout this deployment. Mutual aid is built on strong partnerships, ensuring we can support one another across state lines when wildfire activity increases.   To our crews, thank you for your dedication, professionalism, and commitment to protecting communities.   👏  Welcome home!   #CALFIRE# #MutualAid# #ColoradoFires2026# #CoFire# @CALFIRELNU @CALFIREMMU @CALFIRESKU @CALFIREBEU @CALFIRETCU @COStateFire @COPublicSafety

🐾 Sometimes the best support has four paws. For National Dog Day, we’re highlighting some of the therapy dogs who have visited our personnel at incidents across California. Wildfire response is demanding work, and taking care of the people behind the response is just as important as the work itself. These visits provide a moment to pause, reset and connect, helping support the mental health and overall well-being of our personnel during challenging assignments. We’re grateful to the organizations and handlers who make these visits possible and to the dogs who show up ready to do what they do best. #NationalDogDay# #CALFIRE# #FirefighterWellness# #MentalHealth#

IMT 5 IS ACTIVATED. Today, CAL FIRE Incident Management Team (IMT) 5 will transition into Washington, replacing IMT 4, which has been supporting wildfire response efforts on the Sinlahekin Fire. IMT 5 will continue providing support and assistance to the state of Washington as wildfire response efforts continue. #IMT# #CALFIRE# #MutualAid# #Wildfires#