CalFire's 'See Smoke – Fly Away' Sandbox Drills Sharpen 2026 Aerial Response

CALIFORNIA — CalFire has launched a series of "sandbox" training exercises for the 2026 fire season to sharpen its "See Smoke – Fly Away" doctrine — a strategy that triggers immediate aircraft launches upon detection of a credible smoke column. Analyzed by the blancolirio aviation channel, the exercises use simulations to stress-test aviation dispatch, air-attack coordination and inter-agency communication, with the goal of engaging fires while they are still manageable.

Technology and Tactics in Tandem

The rapid-response initiative is backed by significant infrastructure investment, including a proposed $10 million allocation for the ALERTCalifornia fire camera mapping system, which provides real-time smoke plume monitoring to drive "See Smoke – Fly Away" launch decisions. CalFire is also coordinating efforts through a renewed five-year California Fire Master Agreement signed in December 2025 with the U.S. Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region, streamlining resource sharing across jurisdictional boundaries.

Scaling for Extended Attack

The 2026 training cycle includes an Annual Extended Attack Training Exercise held May 8, 2026, focusing on scaling operations as incidents grow and testing the prioritization of large air tankers (LATs) and helicopter fleets. Ground-based readiness is reinforced through annual drills conducted by incarcerated firefighter crews at the Cuesta Conservation Camp, as well as workforce development efforts under the Camp Cinder program — ensuring that aerial and ground resources are prepared to work in concert when conditions escalate.