CAL FIRE conducting aerial night training above Folsom Lake

(FOX40.COM) — It is not uncommon to see CAL FIRE and local law enforcement agencies conducting training operations in and around Folsom Lake and in March CAL FIRE has some special night training planned.

Starting Monday, CAL FIRE has been conducting night vision training over Folsom Lake with their Sikorsky S70i CAL Fire Hawk, which is their first aircraft with night operation capabilities.

Friday will conclude the first of three weeks of night training operations over Folsom Lake.

The next training weeks will be from March 18 to March 22 and March 25 to March 29. Training will begin at sunset and last until around 10 p.m.

Those living in the area can expect to see and hear low-flying aircraft over Folsom Lake and nearby neighborhoods.

CAL FIRE conducted its first nighttime aerial fighting operations with the CAL FIRE Hawk in 2022 during the Electra and Oak fires.

The state-of-the-art helicopter was acquired by CAL FIRE in 2019 and was cleared for firefighting operations in 2021.

Being able to carry 1,000 gallons of water and have a cruising speed of 160 mph, the Hawk provides fast and effective firefighting at any time.