The Orange County Fire Authority established a helipad in San Clemente, where a helicopter can be stationed during Santa Ana winds and other weather events, officials announced Wednesday.

The helipad, which is near Avenida La Pata and Avenida Vista Hermosa next to the Fire Authority’s San Clemente station, won’t permanently house a helicopter, but it will be used during rain events, Santa Ana winds and dangerous fire conditions, among other weather events, said OFCA Capt. Sean Doran.

Fire Authority officials station their four helicopters at Fullerton Municipal Airport. The addition of the helipad in San Clemente will help crews respond faster to brush fires or other emergencies amid weather events in southern Orange County, Doran said.

“This will be a huge benefit not only to us at OCFA but more importantly to the citizens of the city of San Clemente and the surrounding communities because it will enable us to quickly deploy a helicopter to a fire that occurs down in that region,” said Capt. Greg Barta.

OCFA crews modified the land, which was provided by the city of San Clemente, to establish the helipad. There are also water resources in the area for water-dropping helicopters to refill, including HeloPods in Aliso Viejo, San Juan Capistrano and Laguna Beach; and nearby golf courses.