For Immediate Release: April 5, 2024
Contacts: Tracy LeClair | tracy.leclair@state.co.us | 970-841-9230
Marissa Vazquez| marissa.l.vazquez2.mil@army.mil | 978-514-4791
LONGMONT, Colo. – The Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control and the Colorado National Guard will conduct helicopter-based fire suppression and classroom training April 10-26, 2024. Dubbed the Colorado Fire Aviation Summit, this annual interagency wildland fire training exercise will be conducted along with Boulder Fire-Rescue, the City of Longmont, the Longmont Fire Department, the USDA Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management.
The training exercises include targeted aerial water delivery practice at Chatfield State Park, Littleton, Colorado, Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, Commerce City, Colorado and Ralph Price Reservoir at Button Rock Preserve, Longmont, Colorado.
Aircraft will take off from Vance Brand Municipal Airport in Longmont and Buckley Space Force Base, Aurora, Colorado. The training aims to improve coordinated response and airspace deconfliction for air- and ground-based response elements during emergencies between federal, state, and local agencies. Most aircraft will be flying April 10-12, 17-19, 21, and 24-26. Some of the dates are backup or weather delay dates.
"The importance of this type of training in wildland fire cannot be overstated," DFPC Director Mike Morgan said. "The wildland fire environment we face today, and what we will face in the future, necessitates that we continue to pursue learning and growth in lockstep with our partners."
In addition to aerial operations, the conference will include academic training at the Army Aviation Support Facility at Buckley Space Force Base. Months of planning have included coordination with local authorities for site locations, movement of equipment, and environmental considerations.
"The Colorado Army National Guard works hard to ensure the safety of Colorado’s citizens and their property year-round," Colorado Army National Guard Director of Aviation and Safety, U.S. Army Col. Will Gentle said. "A key component to this safety for the state is realistic training and re-qualifying our crews to provide immediate response to wildland fires as needed. This exercise allows for complex training between the Aircrews and Ground Personnel, to train our crews to the highest levels."
The goal is to provide a safe and realistic training environment for comprehensive training, practice, and development of skills for all agencies involved. Temporary public safety closures will be in effect at Button Rock Preserve while aircraft are operating in the area.