Watch: OC Fire Authority Shows Off Its Water-Dropping Helicopters

The Orange County Fire Authority and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department teamed up Monday morning to raise awareness of the upcoming wildfire season—specifically, wildfires set by arsonists.

It was mostly a standard-issue press conference—OCFA Chief Keith Richter reminded people who live in wildfire areas to be prepared in case of an emergency evacuation. And Sheriff Sandra Hutchens advised that folks should be on the watch for shifty, suspicious-looking characters who might decide to strike a match.

Then it was time for what the assembled media types really came for: Awesome footage of water-dropping helicopters! (Click on the clip above.)

Afterwards, a crew from the OCFA demonstrated how fire-preventing foam works.

For more info on how you can best prepare for wildfires, go to readysetgooc.org. To receive emergency notices regarding wildfires or any other impending disasters affecting OC, register your email address at www.alertoc.org.

And to report those suspicious-looking characters, go to occrimestoppers.org, or call the county’s anonymous tip line at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227).