Colorado National Guard lends support to fight Junkins Fire
CONG sent two water bucket-equipped UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters to fight the fire.
The Colorado National Guard (CONG) assisted civil authorities with extinguishing the Junkins Fire after Governor John Hickenlooper gave a verbal executive order for the service to lend its support.
The fire started 11 miles (18 km) east of Westcliffe in Colorado, US, on 17 October, before spreading over 16,800 acres. CONG sent two water bucket-equipped UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters to fight the fire. The helicopters were able to unload their first Bambi Bucket of water onto the blaze at 15:20 hrs.
"The Colorado National Guard is here to help local, state, and federal authorities contain this fire as quickly as possible. We'll remain on scene as long as we're needed," said Maj. Gen. H. Michael Edwards, adjutant general of Colorado. “Our mission is to protect our communities and save lives and property.”
As of 20 November, the blaze is still going, with three-per-cent containment having been reported late on 19 November.