Edison-Funded ‘Helitankers’ Will Fight Southland Fires Again

CEO of Southern California Edison Steven Powell (C) and local officials gather at a news conference on the Quick Reaction Force, a firefighting effort funded by Southern California Edison, followed by a water-dropping demonstration in Los Alamitos, Calif., on July 5, 2022. Carol Cassis/The Epoch Times

LOS ALAMITOS, Calif.—Helicopters with the Quick Reaction Force are back in Southern California to fight wildfires day and night—after dumping nearly 3 million gallons on more than 50 wildfires last year.

Funded by $18 million from Southern California Edison, the world’s largest fire-suppression choppers operate from three Southern California fire departments in Orange, Los Angeles, and Ventura counties.