RENO — Nevada’s Army National Guard has mobilized helicopters and personnel to support firefighting operations against the Bug and Stallion fires, taking advantage of the unit’s close proximity to affected areas to accelerate aerial water drops and keep flames from advancing on nearby communities.
Quick response from a local base
At the Army Aviation Support Facility west of Stead Airport, crews prepared CH-47 Chinooks and UH-60 Blackhawks to fight the fires. The Guard said the last time it deployed this many personnel for a wildfire response was during the Davis Fire.
Because the facility is near the fire zones, aviation crews are able to reach incidents much faster than units staged farther away. Pilots and crew fuel at the facility and then fly to Pyramid Lake or other nearby water sources to refill their buckets before returning to the fires.
Heavy-lift capacity and hazards in the air
The Guard’s aviation operators highlighted the unique challenges of aerial firefighting, especially when carrying heavy water buckets beneath rotorcraft. The Chinook can carry a very large load compared with other helicopters, while Blackhawks provide more nimble support.
| Aircraft | Approximate bucket capacity |
|---|---|
| CH-47 Chinook | 16,000 pounds |
| UH-60 Blackhawk | 5,000 pounds |
Pilots said flying with heavy water buckets changes how the aircraft handles and adds hazards, particularly in busy airspace with multiple tankers and helicopters. One guard pilot compared managing the bucket to letting the load “fly the helicopter,” a reminder of the physical and technical strain on crews working long missions.
“It is fairly dangerous flying…we have a pretty heavy bucket below us…it is flying the helicopter for us,” said Scott Hermansen, a Chinook pilot.
Coordination with state forestry and extended missions
Operations are directed by the Nevada Division of Forestry, which assigns water-drop targets to the helicopters. Crews can remain on station for hours, returning only to refuel before heading back to the fires.
Because of the Guard’s presence in the region, response times are measured in minutes rather than hours, officials said—an important advantage when flames can spread rapidly under high heat and wind.
Service members balancing mission and home risk
Several Guard members are responding while their own homes remain in harm’s way. Colonel Kyle Cerfoglio, director of the Joint Staff for the Nevada National Guard, learned his house had gone into an evacuation status while reporting for duty. That circumstance underscores the dual pressures firefighters face: protecting the public while worried about their own families and property.
Despite the risk, service members described the work as important and personally rewarding. “It’s a rewarding mission to give back to the community,” Hermansen said, noting that much of their work often occurs at night and away from public view.
What this means for residents
Residents near the Bug and Stallion fire areas should continue to monitor official updates for evacuation orders, road closures and shelter information. The quick availability of Guard aviation resources improves overall suppression capacity, but conditions can change rapidly with shifting winds and new ignitions.
- Guard aviation provides rapid aerial water delivery from nearby water sources.
- Chinooks supply heavy water loads; Blackhawks offer smaller, targeted drops.
- Crews may operate for extended periods, returning only to refuel.
State and local authorities are coordinating closely with the Guard and other firefighting agencies. Residents are urged to follow directives from the Nevada Division of Forestry, local fire districts and emergency management officials for the latest safety instructions.
I will continue to monitor official briefings and local agency updates and report new developments as they become available.
