Utah National Guard deploys helicopters to fight wildfires

The Utah National Guard has deployed aviation assets to assist in fighting wildfires across the state. Soldiers from the 2-211th General Support Aviation Battalion are utilizing UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters to conduct water bucket drops, using 530-gallon buckets to slow the spread of the Rocky Canyon Fire in Summit and Morgan counties.

The mission began on August 5 to assist with the Black Canyon Fire in Sanpete County before shifting north to address the Rocky Canyon Fire, which has grown to over 15,600 acres with 29% containment. Evacuations remain in effect for the community of Henefer.

Aircrews are working demanding 12-hour shifts, with pilots sometimes spending up to eight hours in the air per day. The National Guard is activated through the state Department of Emergency Management and the governor’s office to support local and government firefighting agencies during these high-demand seasons.