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Home : News
NEWS | June 28, 2013

Colorado National Guard continues supporting firefighting relief efforts

By Courtesy Story

CENTENNIAL, Colo. - Approximately 170 Colorado National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are continuing support to Colorado civil authorities at the West Fork Complex fire and the East Peak fire.

In addition to the support listed below, two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, outfitted with a hoist or a Bambi-Bucket, are on standby for medevac, search-and-rescue, and firefighting operations, if needed by incident commanders.

West Fork Complex Fire

Colorado Army National Guard Soldiers are providing geographic imaging support to the incident commander. This is the first time this asset has been used for firefighting support.

Fourteen Colorado National Guard Soldiers of the 1157th Engineer Firefighting Company, along with their high-capacity, off-road firefighting trucks and water tenders, are supporting firefighting efforts.

National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are manning multiple checkpoints around the fire area in support of local law enforcement.

Colorado Air National Guard Airmen are providing a phone, Internet and radio communications platform to facilitate communications between civil and military authorities.

East Peak Fire

Colorado Army National Guard Soldiers are manning multiple checkpoints around the fire area in support of the Huerfano County Sheriff.

Fifteen Soldiers are providing firefighting support on wildland fire hand-crew teams.

Colorado Air National Guard Airmen are providing phone, Internet and radio communications platform to facilitate communications between civil and military authorities.

Black Forest Fire:

The Colorado National Guard is providing tents for non-governmental organizations to support relief and recovery efforts in El Paso County, Colo.