Calleguas MWD Vital for Ventura County Firefighting Efforts by Calleguas Municipal Water District Jul 22, 2024 Member Submitted News Over the past three weeks, southeastern Ventura County has experienced the eruption of several wildfires, including the Knolls, Sentinel, Sequoia, Sharp, and Rockfield Fires. In addition to efforts from on-the-ground local and regional personnel, firefighting agencies from Ventura and Los Angeles Counties have engaged in an aerial approach, deploying specialized aircraft to drop water to extinguish the flames. But where did that water come from? The answer is Lake Bard, a 10,500 acre-foot* reservoir located at the Calleguas Municipal Water District headquarters in Thousand Oaks. Lake Bard serves as a backup drinking water source for the 640,000 Ventura County residents in the Calleguas service area—and doubles as an emergency supply to protect the community from fast-moving wildfire. The firefighting aircraft, which included Coulson’s CH-47 Chinook Very Large Helitanker, two Ventura County Firehawk helicopters, and Firehawk and Bell 412 helicopters from Los Angeles County Fire Department, made multiple “dips” into Lake Bard throughout late June and early July. The aircraft hover a few feet above the lake and use a retractable snorkel to fill their tanks. The Bell 412 can extract up to 360 gallons in under 30 seconds, Firehawks can pull in 1,000 gallons in less than a minute, and the Coulson can draw 3,000 gallons in about 90 seconds, making it an efficient method for quick response. “Our decision to utilize Lake Bard was crucial in controlling the recent brush fires,” noted Ventura County Fire Chief Dustin Gardner. “Its proximity, ample water reserves, and clear flight path allowed us to deploy resources effectively, minimizing the spread and ensuring swift containment.” This isn’t the first time Calleguas has served an important role in local firefighting. Lake Bard was a key supply source during several major wildfires in recent years, including the Woolsey and Easy Fires. “Calleguas is honored to assist firefighters with their critical work in saving lives and property,” said Kristine McCaffrey, Calleguas General Manager, “and we will always welcome the opportunity to partner with our local firefighting heroes.”
