Defense News: Colorado Guard trains for year-round wildfire response

Source: United States Army

CENTENNIAL, Colo. — After a winter marked by record-low snowpack and persistent drought, the Colorado Army National Guard is shifting its focus from seasonal support to a year-round mission to help fight the state’s growing wildfire threat.

During a March 30 press conference held by Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, state officials said the past winter’s lack of moisture left Colorado’s forests and grasslands dangerously dry and ready to burn much earlier than usual.

Mike Morgan, director of the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control, said these conditions are no longer rare.

“These are conditions that we used to think were unprecedented or anomalies, and the reality of it is it’s happening every year,” Morgan said during a recent state press briefing. “It is not unprecedented. It is our new normal.”

To prepare for that reality, the Colorado Army National Guard recently joined the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control, the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the city of Longmont and local fire teams from Boulder for the annual Colorado Fire Aviation Summit. The Guard’s firefighting program is fully certified by the Forest Service, providing federally validated skills to support the state’s emergency response.

Members of the Colorado Army National Guard’s aviation community prepare to conduct water bucket operations alongside the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention & Control in Longmont, Colorado, April 23, 2026. The joint training exercise enhanced coordination between military, civilian and interstate partners, ensuring air and ground crews are prepared to protect local communities from the threat of wildfires. (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Josiah Pugh) VIEW ORIGINAL

A major focus of the training involved using helicopters to drop water on simulated active fire lines. The difference in aircraft capability is significant: A heavy-lift CH-47 Chinook helicopter can carry 2,000 gallons of water, while a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter can carry 660 gallons.

To support upcoming missions, the Colorado Army National Guard will prioritize a team of two Chinooks and a mobile refueling team. While Black Hawk helicopters are available for short-term in-state fire response, their primary mission is high-altitude search and rescue.

Lighter UH-72 Lakota helicopters are also on standby to direct aerial traffic in and around restricted areas during large fires and move crews and equipment for up to a week at a time.

“Our collaborative aerial firefighting training with civilian and interstate partners is designed to ensure our air and ground crews are prepared to protect our communities from wildfires,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Muriel Missler, director of aviation and safety. “This rigorous training not only enables safe and effective operations in Colorado’s challenging environments but also enhances our combat aviation skills and planning capabilities.”

Colorado Army National Guard aviators prepare to conduct water bucket operations alongside the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention & Control in Longmont, Colorado, April 23, 2026. The joint training exercise enhanced coordination between military, civilian and interstate partners, ensuring air and ground crews are prepared to protect local communities from the threat of wildfires. (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Josiah Pugh) VIEW ORIGINAL

The Colorado Army National Guard is prepared to sustain potential high-intensity operations for about two weeks at a time. If a fire lasts longer, backup support may be requested from other states to ensure there are no gaps in coverage.

The urgency of that coordination was highlighted by Polis, who said state-managed aircraft had already dropped nearly 200,000 gallons of fire suppressant in the first four months of the year.

“We talked about the increase in the number of fire events that are likely,” Polis said during the briefing. “It makes a big difference whether there’s 4,000 or whether there’s 8,000 in a given year. This year looks like it could be closer to 8,000.”

In the event of a wildfire, the Colorado Army National Guard’s ability to integrate with local, state and federal partners is a critical advantage for Coloradans. As the state moves deeper into the year, this collaborative, year-round approach helps ensure Colorado’s aerial firefighting capabilities are ready to respond when the next fire ignites.

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