TUCSON, Ariz. - Arizona's wildfire season has been a tough one this year with more than a dozen fires raging throughout the state. Firefighters from the Arizona Air National Guard's 162nd Wing answered a call for assistance in battling the Frye Fire near Safford, Arizona.
The fire, caused by a lightning strike, began June 7, 2017 and burned more than 48,000 acres in the Pinaleña Mountains. The mountain range is comprised of some of the highest peaks in the state including Mount Graham, home to the international observatory.
On June 20, 162nd Wing received an order to activate three citizen-Airmen in support of the Frye Wildland Fire incident management team's aviation section. The Airmen's training and expertise equipped them to assist the state and community fight the blaze.
The Guard members supported aircraft operations at the Safford Regional Airport.
"Our firefighters are trained in basic firefighting requirements and specialize in aviation fire protection," said Chief Master Sgt. Les Tyree from the 162nd Fire Emergency Services. "They are experts when it comes to F-16 operations and because our unit is located at the Tucson International Airport, they are trained to support other types of aircraft. It is that specialized training that prepared them to respond at a moment's notice to serve our community."
This opportunity didn't just allow the Guard members to use their skills to support a state operation, but also broaden their scope of knowledge about wildland firefighting.
"After this assignment, I have a better understanding of wildland fires and how the command staff at the base camp operates," said firefighter Airman 1st Class Felix Armenta. "I saw firsthand how multiple agencies come together and work as a team."
Armenta said he looks forward to sharing his knowledge with the 162nd fire team and is ready to support future operations when the state needs him.
The fire's devastation has affected the entire community and visitors from all over the world looking to escape the desert heat to enjoy lush green meadows or visit one of the three research telescopes at the observatory.
Staff Sgt. Jeffery Szady from the 162nd Wing Fire Department is a part-time Guard member who lives and works near the fire area and was called to support the efforts.
"The fire has impacted my family, friends and our community," said Szady. "In the short term there is a negative impact on the environment, wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation, but the fire will make the mountains less susceptible to uncontrolled fires and ultimately contribute to a more stable environment."
According to the U.S. Forest Service, a wildfire can benefit natural resources and reduce the risk of future fires in the area. Currently the Frye Fire is listed as 93 percent contained and restrictions remain in place for the area, but community members such as Szady look forward to getting back to hiking, hunting and fishing in their backyard.
National Guard personnel in other Western states were busy Thursday as dry weather and high temperatures contributed to numerous fires.
In California, nearly 60 members of the Army and Air National Guard are on duty, according to the National Guard Bureau. The Detwiler Fire in Mariposa County, at 48,000 acres and only 7 percent contained, is the main line of effort so California Air National Guard assets have been diverted there.
California Guard assets were activated July 10; mission end has not been determined.
In Utah, which has been hit hard by fire this season, about 10 state Army National Guard members were on duty, NGB figures showed. They were activated Monday, and are flying two UH-60 helicopters with buckets that have dropped 20,000 gallons of water on fires so far.
Besides battling flames from the fires, the National Guard is helping civilian first responders one other way: the armory at Cedar City, Utah, is housing 75 civilian firefighters.
Contributing: Steve Marshall, National Guard Bureau