Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control
Multi-Mission Aircraft 
By Kieran Nicholson | knicholson@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
Getting your player ready...
Colorado firefighters are sending a state-of-the-art firefighting airplane to California to battle wildfires.
The multi-mission aircraft, a Pilatus PC-12, took off at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday en route to Ventura County, according to a Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control news release.
The plane and crew’s mission is primarily fire detection as well as providing near real-time information to firefighters on the ground.
Ryan Cullom, Ventura County Fire Department via The Associated PressIn this photo provided by the Ventura County Fire Department, firefighters work to put out a blaze burning homes early Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017, in Ventura, Calif. Authorities said the blaze broke out Monday and grew wildly in the hours that followed, consuming vegetation that hasn't burned in decades.
Chris Carlson, The Associated PressA resident flees a wildfire in the Lake View Terrace area of Los Angeles Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017. Ferocious winds in Southern California have whipped up explosive wildfires, burning a psychiatric hospital and scores of other structures.
Mark Ralston, AFP/Getty ImagesFirefighters try to knock down a burning house during the Thomas wildfire in Ventura, California on December 5, 2017. Firefighters battled a wind-whipped brush fire in southern California that has left at least one person dead, destroyed more than 150 homes and businesses and forced tens of thousands to flee. / AFP PHOTO / MARK RALSTONMARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images
Ringo Chiu, AFP/Getty ImagesA firefighter battles a wildfire as it burns along a hillside near homes in Santa Paula, California, on Dec. 5, 2017. Fast-moving, wind-fueled brush fire exploded to about 10,000 acres in Ventura County Monday night, forcing hundreds of people to flee their homes, officials said.
Mark Ralston, AFP/Getty ImagesFirefighters try to save a house during the Thomas wildfire in Ventura, California on Dec. 5, 2017. Firefighters battled a wind-whipped brush fire in southern California that has left at least one person dead, destroyed more than 150 homes and businesses and forced tens of thousands to flee.
Mark Ralston, AFP/Getty ImagesA house burns during the Thomas wildfire in Ventura, California on Dec. 5, 2017. Firefighters battled a wind-whipped brush fire in southern California that has left at least one person dead, destroyed more than 150 homes and businesses and forced tens of thousands to flee.
Ringo Chiu, AFP/Getty ImagesA firefighter battles a wildfire as it burns along a hillside near homes in Santa Paula, California, on Dec. 5, 2017. Fast-moving, wind-fueled brush fire exploded to about 10,000 acres in Ventura County Monday night, forcing hundreds of people to flee their homes, officials said.
Mark Ralston, AFP/Getty ImagesA burnt out car and house is seen during the Thomas wildfire in Ventura, California on December 5, 2017. Firefighters battled a wind-whipped brush fire in southern California that has left at least one person dead, destroyed more than 150 homes and businesses and forced tens of thousands to flee. / AFP PHOTO / MARK RALSTONMARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images
Mark Ralston, AFP/Getty ImagesFirefighters battle strong winds as they try to save a house during the Thomas wildfire in Ventura, California on Dec. 5, 2017. Firefighters battled a wind-whipped brush fire in southern California that has left at least one person dead, destroyed more than 150 homes and businesses and forced tens of thousands to flee.
Mark Ralston, AFP/Getty ImagesFirefighters try to knock down a burning house during the Thomas wildfire in Ventura, California on Dec. 5, 2017. Firefighters battled a wind-whipped brush fire in southern California that has left at least one person dead, destroyed more than 150 homes and businesses and forced tens of thousands to flee.
Noah Berger, The Associated PressJames and Josie Ralstin carry belongings from their Ventura, Calif., home as flames from a wildfire consume another residence on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017. The couple evacuated early Tuesday morning as the fire approached, but returned to retrieve medications and other property.
Jae C. Hong, The Associated PressFlames rise as a home is consumed by a wildfire Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017, in Ventura, Calif.
Noah Berger, The Associated PressFlames consume a home on Via Arroyo as a wildfire rages in Ventura, Calif., on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017.
Noah Berger, The Associated PressJames and Josie Ralstin carry belongings from their Ventura, Calif., home on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017. The couple evacuated early Tuesday morning as a wildfire approached, but returned to retrieve medications and other property.
Jae Hong, The Associated PressFlames rise near a home as a wildfire burns in Ventura, Calif., on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017. Ferocious winds in Southern California have whipped up explosive wildfires, burning a psychiatric hospital and scores of other structures.
Ringo Chiu, AFP/Getty ImagesA firefighter battles a wildfire as it burns along a hillside near homes in Santa Paula, California, on Dec. 5, 2017. Fast-moving, wind-fueled brush fire exploded to about 10,000 acres in Ventura County Monday night, forcing hundreds of people to flee their homes, officials said.
Jae Hong, The Associated PressFlames rise near a home as a wildfire burns in Ventura, Calif., on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017. Ferocious winds in Southern California have whipped up explosive wildfires, burning a psychiatric hospital and scores of other structures.
Noah Berger, The Associated PressFlames consume a home on Via Arroyo as a wildfire rages in Ventura, Calif., on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017.
Noah Berger, The Associated PressFlames consume vehicles as a wildfire rages in Ventura, Calif., on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017.
Chris Carlson, The Associated PressHomeowner Alan Barnard walks past the remains of his RV from a wildfire in the Lake View Terrace area of Los Angeles on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017.
Noah Berger, The Associated PressA man watches flames consume a residence as a wildfire rages in Ventura, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017. Ferocious winds in Southern California have whipped up explosive wildfires, burning a psychiatric hospital and scores of other structures.
Ringo Chiu, AFP/Getty ImagesA man waters his home as firefighters battle a wildfire as it burns along a hillside near homes in Santa Paula, California, on Dec. 5, 2017. Fast-moving, wind-fueled brush fire exploded to about 10,000 acres in Ventura County Monday night, forcing hundreds of people to flee their homes, officials said.
Ringo Chiu, AFP/Getty ImagesA man prepares to evacuate his home as a wildfire burns along a hillside near homes in Santa Paula, California, on Dec. 5, 2017. Fast-moving, wind-fueled brush fire exploded to about 10,000 acres in Ventura County Monday night, forcing hundreds of people to flee their homes, officials said.
Ringo Chiu, AFP/Getty ImagesFirefighters battle a wildfire as it burns along a hillside near homes in Santa Paula, California, on Dec. 5, 2017. Fast-moving, wind-fueled brush fire exploded to about 10,000 acres in Ventura County Monday night, forcing hundreds of people to flee their homes, officials said.
Noah Berger, The Associated PressA burning ember flies through the air as winds fan a wildfire in Ventura, Calif., on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017.
Ringo Chiu, AFP/Getty ImagesA firefighter battles a wildfire as it burns along a hillside near homes in Santa Paula, California, on December 5, 2017. Fast-moving, wind-fueled brush fire exploded to about 10,000 acres in Ventura County Monday night, forcing hundreds of people to flee their homes, officials said. / AFP PHOTO / RINGO CHIURINGO CHIU/AFP/Getty Images
Ringo Chiu, AFP/Getty ImagesA firefighter battles a wildfire as it burns along a hillside near homes in Santa Paula, California, on December 5, 2017. Fast-moving, wind-fueled brush fire exploded to about 10,000 acres in Ventura County Monday night, forcing hundreds of people to flee their homes, officials said. / AFP PHOTO / RINGO CHIURINGO CHIU/AFP/Getty Images
Ringo Chiu, AFP/Getty ImagesA man waters his home as firefighters battle a wildfire as it burns along a hillside near homes in Santa Paula, California, on Dec. 5, 2017. Fast-moving, wind-fueled brush fire exploded to about 10,000 acres in Ventura County Monday night, forcing hundreds of people to flee their homes, officials said.
Ringo Chiu, AFP/Getty ImagesA woman evacuates her home as a wildfire burns along a hillside near homes in Santa Paula, California, on Dec. 5, 2017. Fast-moving, wind-fueled brush fire exploded to about 10,000 acres in Ventura County Monday night, forcing hundreds of people to flee their homes, officials said.
Ringo Chiu, AFP/Getty ImagesTOPSHOT - Firefighters battle a wildfire as it burns along a hillside near homes in Santa Paula, California, on Dec. 5, 2017. Fast-moving, wind-fueled brush fire exploded to about 10,000 acres in Ventura County Monday night, forcing hundreds of people to flee their homes, officials said.
Noah Berger, The Associated PressSmoke rises behind a leveled apartment complex as a wildfire burns in Ventura, Calif., on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017. Over 100 structures have burned so far in Ventura County, officials said.
Ringo Chiu, AFP/Getty ImagesFirefighters battle a wildfire as it burns along a hillside near homes in Santa Paula, California, on Dec. 5, 2017. Fast-moving, wind-fueled brush fire exploded to about 10,000 acres in Ventura County Monday night, forcing hundreds of people to flee their homes, officials said.
Noah Berger, The Associated PressMike Eliason, a public information officer with Santa Barbara County Fire, passes a burning home as a wildfire rages in Ventura, Calif., on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017.
Jae C. Hong, The Associated PressA man rides his bike past a home consumed by a wildfire Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017, in Ventura, Calif.
Mark Ralston, AFP/Getty ImagesMichael and Vonea McQuillam stand beside their house that was burnt to the ground during the Thomas wildfire in Ventura, California on Dec. 5, 2017. Firefighters battled a wind-whipped brush fire in southern California that has left at least one person dead, destroyed more than 150 homes and businesses and forced tens of thousands to flee.
Ryan Cullom, Ventura County Fire Department via The Associated Press
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In this photo provided by the Ventura County Fire Department, firefighters work to put out a blaze burning homes early Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017, in Ventura, Calif. Authorities said the blaze broke out Monday and grew wildly in the hours that followed, consuming vegetation that hasn't burned in decades.
Expand“When Colorado needs help to fight wildfires in our state, we rely on other states to send resources,” said DFPC Director Mike Morgan. “.”
DFPC News Release: "Colorado fire agencies have answered the call, we are honored to assist our partners during this time…" Read more @
— Colorado Division of Fire Prevention & Control (@COStateFire)
The state’s fire prevention division owns and operates two Pilatus PC-12 airplanes. The single-engine turboprops are equipped with infrared and color sensors operated by DFPC personnel.
The , northwest of Los Angeles, have destroyed more than 150 structures; and fires in the San Gabriel Mountains foothills have forced the evacuation of more than 150,000 residents.
“Colorado fire agencies have answered the call. We are honored to assist our partners during this time,” Morgan said.
Fire departments and agencies throughout Colorado have sent trucks and crews to California.
