The Utah National Guard has deployed heavy firefighting equipment to combat wildfires burning across the state. Crews from the 2-211th General Support Aviation Battalion are using UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters equipped with 530-gallon buckets to deliver water directly to fires and threatened areas.
The battalion began wildfire operations on August 5 at the Black Canyon Fire in Sanpete County. Following those operations, two Black Hawks and their crews shifted to the Rocky Canyon Fire in Morgan County. By August 11, Guard helicopters had logged over 100 flight hours and dropped approximately 160,000 gallons of water on the two fires.
These helicopters can attack a fire directly, support backburning operations, wet vegetation ahead of flames, and assist in protecting structures. Pilots work alongside incident commanders, ground firefighters, and other aircraft sharing the airspace. Maintenance crews in West Jordan work to keep the helicopters ready while pilots rotate through shifts to maintain continuity as fire conditions change.
When local authorities require additional resources, Guard assistance is activated through the governor’s office and the Utah Department of Emergency Management. Lt. Col. Penny McCarthy, commander of the 2-211th, stated that the unit stands ready to support the state during such incidents. She noted that responding to fires in Utah carries particular significance because the missions involve preserving life, property, and easing human suffering for neighbors.
Flight operations can involve 12-hour shifts for Guard personnel, with pilots sometimes spending seven or eight hours in the air. Chief Warrant Officer 4 Chris Aylstock noted that one day included 48 bucket drops.
To prepare for wildfire season, crews conduct training with the Utah Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Forest Service, and other local agencies. This training is designed to prepare pilots specifically for wildfire operations.
