Summary
SB 90 will utilize Prop 4 (The Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024) funding to support prepositioned mobile rigid water storage and mobile rigid dip tanks, in order to support firefighting air assets.
Background
Wildfires have become increasingly severe and frequent in California, posing a significant threat to lives, property, and the environment. Helicopters are crucial in fighting fires, but their effectiveness is limited by the time needed to travel to distant water sources for refills. A lack of nearby water sources forces helicopters to burn more fuel searching for water, reducing their time helping at the scene. Strategically placed water tanks enable faster helicopter refills, increasing water drops and firefighting efficiency.
In areas without natural water sources such as lakes or rivers, helicopters rely on systems like heli-hydrants. While effective, these systems have significant challenges, including high costs and infrastructure requirements. For example, heli-hydrants in Los Angeles County have experienced budget overruns and delays due to their permanent setup and the complex infrastructure needs to support them. On average, heli-hydrants cost approximately $300,000 per unit, making them a costly solution for wildfire suppression.
Mobile water tanks provide a proven and cost-effective alternative. These tanks range in price from $65,000 to $95,000, are significantly more affordable than heli-hydrants, and can be rapidly deployed near fire zones. Their temporary and mobile nature exempts them from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements, ensuring swift deployment without regulatory delays. These mobile water tanks create a comprehensive safety network when strategically positioned alongside improved public evacuation routes in high-fire hazard zones. The tanks support firefighting helicopters within a 2.5-mile radius (16,000 acres), and fire engines that can quickly access water while maintaining clear evacuation paths. This proven equipment has been successfully utilized in areas such as Paradise, Napa, and Malibu to prevent wildfires from devastating communities.
Proposal
SB 90 will allow the use of Prop 4 funding to support prepositioned mobile rigid water storage and mobile rigid dip tanks as eligible activities for improving public safety. By strategically positioning these tanks in high-risk wildfire areas, California firefighters can reduce helicopter response times and enhance the effectiveness of fire engines and helicopters while making critical improvements to public evacuation routes on specified lands.
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