Texas National Guard fights wildfire from the skies, ground

By Air Force Tech. Sgt. Leisa Grant
National Guard Bureau

Two Texas National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk crews fly over the a large wildfire in southeastern Texas to dump water filled Bambi buckets Sept. 6, 2011. The crews are a few of nearly 90 Guard personnel assisting with firefighting efforts as of Sept. 7 from both the air and ground. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Malcolm McClendon)
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ARLINGTON, Va. (9/7/11) – The Texas National Guard has taken to the skies to assist in fighting the wildfires engulfing thousands of acres in southeastern Texas this week.

About 90 Guard members helping local and regional agencies are fighting the blazes on the ground and from above as of today, according to National Guard Bureau reports.

With eight UH-60 Black Hawk and three Ch-47 Chinook helicopters deployed, about one and a half million gallons of water have been dropped on the fires in an attempt to contain them and prevent additional property loss and damage, according to a Texas National Guard report.

Each Black Hawk carries suspended Bambi Buckets, dropping close to 660 gallons of water or fire retardant per pass. The Chinooks are able to drop about 1,600 gallons of fire retardant or water during each bucket drop.

Additionally, the National Guard is providing twelve bulldozers and a few dozen other large support trucks in specific areas affected by the fires.

In one county alone, more than 1,000 homes have been reported destroyed or lost this week, according to a Texas Forest Service report.

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