Riverside County Awards $500,000 to Rancho Water for Helicopter Dip Tanks to Fight Wildfire by Rancho Water Oct 8, 2025 Member Submitted News TEMECULA – Rancho California Water District (Rancho Water/District) has been awarded $500,000 from Riverside County 3rd District Supervisor Chuck Washington, made possible through the Riverside County Unincorporated Communities Initiative funding, to install helicopter dip tanks in the rural areas near De Luz and La Cresta. This investment will enhance wildfire protection and emergency response capabilities for the greater Temecula-Murrieta region. Helicopter dip tanks are fire-suppression water tanks that allow firefighting aircraft to refill quickly and efficiently during wildfire emergencies. With strategically placed installations, helicopters will have faster access to water in the high-risk wildfire areas of the rural Temecula and Murrieta region, reducing turnaround times and improving rapid response efforts. “This critical funding will allow Rancho Water to support lifesaving wildfire mitigation measures in one of our region’s most vulnerable areas,” said Jason Martin, General Manager of Rancho Water. “We are proud to be partnering with Riverside County and CalFire to install these helicopter dip tanks which will ensure that firefighting aircraft can access water more quickly and efficiently, ultimately protecting lives, homes, and natural resources for our neighbors.” The Riverside County Unincorporated Communities Initiative funding will cover the cost of planning, construction, and installation of the helicopter dip tanks. Once operational, the system will provide a reliable, dedicated water supply for firefighting operations, reducing reliance on distant water sources and improving regional resilience to wildfires. Rancho Water is working closely with Riverside County and CalFire to determine the most useful and accessible locations for the new dip tanks. These important firefighting assets are expected to be completed and ready for use by fire teams in 2026. For more information on Rancho Water, visit RanchoWater.com.
