SDG&E announces return of large helicopter firefighting tanker for sixth year

SAN DIEGO COUNTY - Firefighters in the San Diego region received a boost today, Thurs., August 13, as San Diego Gas & Electric announced the return of a large helicopter tanker for a sixth year, and the city of San Diego opened a temporary fire station in a neighborhood plagued by slow response times.

The helicopter, an Erickson Skycrane, has a 2,500-gallon capacity to carry and drop water and can be in the air within 20 minutes, according to SDG&E.

"The Skycrane is one of the most effective and extraordinary fire-fighting resources available in the nation,'' said Caroline Winn, chief energy d...