HEMET – Upgrades on CALFIRE’s air attack base at the Hemet-Ryan Airport have yet to get off the ground.

Improvements announced in 2008 have been bogged down in legal issues, community concerns and funding for the $19 million project.

With the opening of another fire season, Captain Fernando Herrera says their air tankers and helicopters are at the ready.

“Obviously, we’re in dire need of remodel which is something that Riverside County and CALFIRE have been working on for sometime. The air base will continue to function. None of our air operations are being compromised this summer.”

Improvements call for extending the runway to accommodate military air tankers for the first time plus new barracks and other fire fighting improvements. (INT)

Story Date: May 7, 2010