First Use of Rainbow Water’s Rapid Aerial Water Supply Aids in Protecting Fallbrook Homes

FALLBROOK--Fire protection agencies utilized Rainbow Municipal Water District’s Rapid Aerial Water Supply (RAWS) tank to aid in suppressing the Garden Fire, a fast-moving brush fire that broke out Friday, November 8 near Lake Garden Drive in Fallbrook. Fueled by Santa Ana winds and dry, flashy vegetation, the fire spread quickly, threatening nearby homes, and prompting precautionary evacuations. The North County Fire Protection District, CAL FIRE, and several assisting agencies stopped the spread of the fire at 48 acres with no structures destroyed.

Central to the success of the firefighting efforts was the air response, including the first-ever use of the RAWS tank, also known as a "Heli-Hydrant." This system, the first of its kind in San Diego County, was commissioned by Rainbow Water in 2021 as a joint project with North County Fire Protection District and CAL FIRE. The RAWS tank provided a critical water supply for close to 30 aerial water drops, significantly increasing the effectiveness of the air response and protecting homes in the fire’s path. RAWS enables helicopter pilots to access up to 5,000 gallons of water within two minutes via an automatically filled open-top tank supplied by Rainbow Water’s infrastructure. The RAWS tank was in an ideal location to expedite emergency aerial water drops during the Garden Fire.

“This incident marked the first deployment of the RAWS in a real-world setting, and it performed exactly as we’d hoped,” said Keith McReynolds, Fire Chief of North County Fire Protection District. “More than 30 water drops were made from the RAWS tank, which enabled us to quickly control the spread of the Garden Fire and minimize the threat to homes in the area.”

The RAWS tank was installed as a proactive measure following the devastating Lilac Fire in 2017, underscoring the need for an efficient, high-volume, aerial accessible water source in San Diego’s fire-prone areas.

“We didn’t lose a single structure in this incident,” said Tony Mecham, Unit and Fire Chief CAL FIRE/San Diego County Fire. “Rainbow’s RAWS tank played a major role in that outcome, and we’re proud to see how interagency cooperation is making a difference for our community.”

Jake Wiley, General Manager of Rainbow Municipal Water District, emphasized the importance of forward-looking solutions and partnerships to meet community needs. “RAWS resulted from planning and close collaboration between Rainbow Water, North County Fire, and CAL FIRE. Our agencies are continually working together to protect the region, and we’ll continue to find ways to support emergency responders and protect our residents,” said Wiley.

A second RAWS location near Rainbow Water’s Gomez tank has been approved by CAL FIRE and the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. The site was selected for its elevation, 360-degree visibility, lack of power lines, and adequate water pressure, will further bolster regional fire response. Rainbow Water is actively pursuing grant opportunities to help fund this new RAWS installation, which will provide additional fire protection for Fallbrook and surrounding communities.

This rapid, highly effective response highlights the success of joint efforts between public agencies and the vital role of advanced firefighting tools like the RAWS. Through proactive planning and interagency partnerships, Rainbow Municipal Water District, North County Fire Protection District, and CAL FIRE remain committed to safeguarding the communities they serve.