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NEWS | Aug. 9, 2017

National Guard personnel in Oregon and Montana helping wildfire battles

By Oregon National Guard

SALEM, Oregon - The Oregon Army National Guard announced Tuesday that about 25 personnel continue to support the Oregon Department of Forestry with firefighting efforts at the Whitewater Fire in the Mount Jefferson Wilderness Area east of Detroit, Oregon.

Besides the troops, two CH-47 Chinook helicopters (equipped with nearly 2,000-gallon capacity water buckets), with 1st Battalion, 168th Aviation Regiment, based in Pendleton, Oregon, are assisting with wildfire suppression efforts.

The Oregon National Guard was requested to assist following Gov. Kate Brown's declaration of a state of emergency.

And, near Philipsburg, Montana, about 15 Army National Guard personnel from the Montana National Guard are providing wildfire support to local authorities. Besides the Soldiers, the Montana National Guard is contributing two fuel trucks and one CH-47 Chinook helicopter, according to the National Guard Bureau.

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