Alabama National Guard Assists in Gulf State Park Wildfire Containment

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Sgt. 1st Class Roy Chandler surveys the wildfire from the ramp of CH-47 Chinook in Gulf Shores, June 29. (Photo by: Spc. Eric Roberts)

MONTGOMERY, AL (07/01/2011)(readMedia)-- As wildfire raged in Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, Governor Robert Bentley called upon the Alabama National Guard to assist state and local authorities in the fire containment effort, June 28.

With more than 1,000 acres burned the Governor declared a state of Emergency for Baldwin County.

"We were called on June 28 to help with the response to the fire," said Lt. Col. J.R. Bass, Army Aviation Support Facility Two Commander. "Our five person crew is assisting the Alabama Forestry Commission, State Troopers, local firefighters and other local and state authorities in the containment of the fire."

As during the recent April 2011 record breaking storm response, the Guard assisted the local authorities that had been fighting the wildfire since June 25.

"Our mission is to mainly assist the Forestry Commission with back burning and the dropping of water. We have assisted by watering areas to keep embers from creating new fire and helping successfully burn out the fuel that is present," said Maj. David Crenshaw, Army Aviation Support Facility Two Operations Officer.

The five member team from Birmingham launched from Jack Edwards Airport in Gulf Shores, and used water from inside Gulf State Park to aid in suppressing the fire.

"The fire bucket that was used by the State Troopers before we arrived was approximately 180 gallons. Our Chinooks are able to carry more," said Crenshaw. "We were able to bring a fire bucket that is capable of carrying more than 2,000 gallons of water."

With local neighborhoods, businesses and vegetation at risk the interagency group worked together to become one unit in the fight against the fire.

"The guys on the ground are in contact with us as we drop water to suppress the fire. They are the eyes on the ground as we are in the air. Regardless of the heat and smoke our main goal is to prevent the fire from spreading," said Sgt. David Tisdale, B Company 1-169 Aviation.

The National Guard is no stranger to unique missions. With the help of the Guard the fire was able to be 100 percent controlled.

"This response is a good example of the National Guard," said Bass. "A few of our members just got back from Afghanistan in September 2010, and now we are serving the citizens of our state and communities."

Release #2011070101

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