COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—The military is providing 10 aircraft, more than 40 firefighters and multiple fire trucks to help civilian agencies fight the Black Forest wildfire.
Officials said Thursday the equipment includes seven helicopters and two C-130 cargo planes equipped to drop water and fire-retardant slurry. Another helicopter is providing aerial coordination.
The military dispatched more than seven fire trucks and 43 firefighters.
The National Guard sent 120 Guard members and to provide security at roadblocks.
The assistance comes from Fort Carson, the Air Force Academy, Peterson Air Force Base, Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, Buckley Air Force Base, the 302nd Airlift Wing and the Colorado National Guard.
Air National Guard Brig. Gen. Peter Byrne was appointed as a “dual-status commander” Thursday to lead both active-duty and Guard troops responding to the fire.
