NASA Ames to conduct aircraft firefighting drills at Moffett Federal Airfield
Controlled fires using a propane-fuelled simulator will be visible to drivers on U.S. Highway 101 from 8 to 11 September 2026.
The fire department at NASA’s Ames Research Center will conduct a series of controlled aircraft firefighting exercises at Moffett Federal Airfield in California’s Silicon Valley. The training is scheduled to take place from Tuesday, 8 September, to Friday, 11 September, 2026.
According to NASA, the drills are designed to prepare the centre’s first responders for a variety of realistic aircraft firefighting scenarios. The exercises will utilise a propane-fuelled aircraft fire simulator to replicate the conditions of an actual emergency.
Training activities are expected to run from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time each day. Because the simulator is fuelled by propane, NASA predicts that very little smoke will be produced during the controlled fires.
Despite the minimal smoke expected, flames may be visible to motorists travelling on U.S. Highway 101. Drivers in the area should be aware of the visual activity during the specified training hours.
The event serves as a routine preparedness measure for the research centre, ensuring that emergency personnel are equipped to handle potential incidents at the airfield.
