"It’s way too unsafe now": $30M-worth Greg Biffle reveals why helicopters can't help with California wildfires

Former NASCAR Cup Series driver Greg Biffle took to social media to clear the air regarding whether or not helicopters are equipped enough to help stop wildfires, such as the active ones currently in Southern California. The 19-time Cup Series winner said the fires are too far long at this point for it to be safe to use helicopters.

Amid the wildfires that have raged through Southern California, Biffle took to X and explained that many people have asked him whether or not it's safe to use helicopters in an attempt to put out the fires. He wrote:

"Alot of people asking if helicopters can be used to help put out the wildfires. From watching the news and talking to my aunt and cousin, it looks like the winds are over 98 mph blowing embers everywhere. Pilots can only fly when it's safe to do so and it’s way too unsafe now!"

Biffle, who's worth $30 million (per Celebrity Net Worth), was probably asked that question a lot after his efforts in Hurricane Helene relief last September. The hurricane caused massive destruction in western North Carolina, and Biffle took it upon himself to jump into his personal helicopter and travel to help the victims.

Biffle's bravery earned him the 2024 NMPA Myers Brothers Award, and he was honored during this past season's NASCAR Awards Banquet. The former driver of the #16 Roush Fenway Racing Ford took to X to express his feelings on earning the award.

"Honored to be named the @NMPAonline 2024 Myers Brothers Award Recipient at the @NASCAR Banquet last night it was such a surprise !! Thank you," Biffle wrote in November 2024.

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Greg Biffle is "unlikely" to race in this year's Daytona 500

Since stepping away from full-time NASCAR Cup Series competition at the end of the 2016 season, Greg Biffle has still made NASCAR appearances on a part-time basis. However, the former Cup Series runner-up is not expected to compete in the 2025 Daytona 500.

In a recent interview on the Let's Go Racing with David Starr podcast, Biffle said he didn't have anything planned for the upcoming 500-mile event. While he plans to be at the race, Biffle doesn't expect to race.

“I don’t have anything in the works right now, so I would say Daytona in February is probably slim,” Biffle said. “I definitely will be there. I love that time of the year and Daytona, so I’ll be down there wandering around, but as far as being behind the wheel, it’s probably unlikely."

Biffle drove for car owner Jack Roush in the Cup Series from 2003-2016, his entire full-time Cup career. The Washington native won 19 career races and finished a best of second in the points standings in 2005.