Gov. Matt Mead authorized two Wyoming Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crews to begin aerial firefighting measures today on the Keystone Fire.
The seven personnel are scheduled to begin flying missions by mid-morning. Crews are on orders for six days, but orders can be modified based on the needs of the incident commander.
“The Wyoming National Guard is committed to helping our local officials and assist in fire mitigation to preserve our communities and resources,” said Col. Greg Phipps, Wyoming National Guard director of joint operations.
The last time Wyoming Army National Guard Black Hawk crews were activated by the governor to provide water bucket operations in the state was in 2012 on fires in Weston, Platte and Natrona Counties.
The Keystone Fire, located in the Medicine Bow National Forest south of Rob Roy Reservoir, was last recorded at 1,300 acres.