A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter with the 3rd Assault Helicopter Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, releases a Bambi Bucket full of water over a wildfire on Fort Carson June 16, 2016. (Photo by Sgt. Gregory T. Summers)
By Capt. Shaun T. Manley
4th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division
Dry land, high winds and lightning together could be considered a recipe for disaster, but it is also an opportunity to work as a team for aviators, firefighters and the community.
A fire was discovered June 15, 2016, in Fort Carson’s training area that spread quickly due to high winds.
According to post officials, it is believed the fire was caused by a lightning strike June 14, 2016, in a gully that smoldered and ignited the next day during high winds. The fire burned about 700 acres.
Fort Carson firefighters and emergency services personnel quickly responded, summoning the assistance of aircraft and flight crews assigned to the 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, to attack the fire from above, Soldiers from the 4th Engineer Battalion to build fire lines and community fire resources.
“Inaccessibility and limited access to the remote area of the fire made it a difficult task,” said Robert Fisher, deputy fire chief, Fort Carson Fire and Emergency Services. “When one of our stations was dispatched to the fire, we quickly realized it was above our capability to battle alone and called for support from our joint partners.”
The aviation brigade responded with a firefighting task force comprised of CH-47 Chinook helicopters assigned to 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters from 3rd Assault Helicopter Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, both battalions assigned to 4th Aviation Regiment, 4th CAB. The aircraft utilized precision helicopter firefighting tools, known as Bambi Buckets, and water from Fort Carson’s reservoirs to assist in defeating the fire.
“We were happy to assist the emergency services and use our aircraft and skills to rapidly reduce the spread of this fire,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Dustin Moll, pilot, Company B, 2nd GSAB.
Over several days, the firefighters on the ground and aircrews in the sky continued to suppress the flames, covering nearly 700 acres in the center of the training area, until contained.
According to Fisher, the fire never posed a threat to residents or structures on the installation due to the teamwork and fast response of all involved in the firefighting efforts.
“Teamwork and a quick response from the community, aircrews of the aviation brigade and the engineer battalion, kept this fire from ever posing a threat to the residents and buildings of Fort Carson,” said Fisher. “If it weren’t for the aviation and engineer assets, we would possibly still be fighting it today and be forced to use a lot more time and assets.”
Collaboration by the firefighters, aviators, engineers and emergency services departments of Fort Carson, El Paso County, Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, Buena Vista and the U.S. Air Force Academy enabled the containment and ultimate defeat of the wildfire and a sense of community with all involved.
“Situations like this emphasize the importance of community partnerships,” said Fisher. “We’re fortunate to have a strong community and when needed, we will all bring capabilities to assist one another.”
Fighting this wildfire not only gave personnel the opportunity to work together and overcome a challenge, it also afforded some with the opportunity to train.
“Not all of our personnel have used the buckets and conducted firefighting missions,” said Moll. “Our involvement in fighting this fire provided our crews the opportunity to help the community but also to train on performing this type of mission, adding more abilities to our skillsets.”