Marine Corps, Navy helicopters help contain California wildfires

Navy and Marine Corps helicopters are joining the battle against new wildfires that flared up Thursday near San Diego.

Two Marine UH-1Y Venoms from Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 267 at Camp Pendleton, California, are trying to help contain a blaze called the “Lilac Fire,” Corps officials announced on Friday.

Another two CH-53E Super Stallions at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, are on standby. The CH-53Es are with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462.

Each UH-1Y can carry up to 320 gallons of water using a bucket, while CH-53s can carry up to 900 gallons, according to 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.

The Navy has dispatched two MH-60S Seahawk helicopters from Helicopter Combat Squadron 21 to drop water on the flames, the San Diego Union Tribune reported on Friday. The helicopters are based at Naval Air Station North Island, California.

As of Friday, about 1,300 members of the California National Guard had been activated to help contain the wildfires and the Defense Department said another 500 personnel could be called up to support quick reaction force teams and conduct other missions.