A Colorado Springs-based Air Force Reserve unit has joined the interstate effort to assist California firefighters in battling the wildfires currently scorching thousands of acres in the southern region of the state.

On Saturday, the 302nd Airlift Wing, stationed at Peterson Space Force Base, deployed a C-130H aircraft, equipped with a Modular Airborne Firefighting Systems, or MAFFS, unit, along with associated wing personnel, according to a news release.

The 302 AW joins a Colorado support group composed of several firefighting agencies. The Castle Rock, Four Mile, Stratmoor Hills, Hartsel and Southern Arkansas fire departments deployed to California on Wednesday. The Colorado Springs Fire Department sent an engine and crew on Friday.

The Peterson-based airlift wing only sent one plane to California because the rest of its aircraft, along with about 200 personnel, are currently deployed to U.S. Africa Command providing airlift, air drop and medical evacuation to joint forces in and around the Horn of Africa, according to 302 AW spokeswoman Stacey Knott.

“We’re doing double duty right now,” Knott said.

The MAFFS unit is capable of discharging 3,000 gallons of water or fire retardant, covering an area one-quarter of a mile long and 100 feet wide, in less than five seconds. After a plane discharges its load and returns to the tanker base, it can be refilled in less than 12 minutes.

The 302 AW’s MAFFS unit and personnel will operate out of Channel Islands Air National Guard Station in Port Hueneme, Calif. It is currently the only Air Force Reserve unit assigned to the California firefighting effort, officials said. 

As of Sunday, the Los Angeles-area blazes had caused 16 deaths and damaged or destroyed more than 10,000 structures, according to multiple reports. More than 100,000 residents were still under evacuation orders.