DOD C-130 Crews Continue Western Wildfire Fight

From a U.S. Northern Command News Release

WASHINGTON, July 6, 2012 – In 140 airdrop missions since they were called into action to battle fires in the Rocky Mountain region and other western locales, Defense Department C-130s equipped with the U.S. Forest Service’s Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System have discharged more than 332,400 gallons of retardant as of early today, U.S. Northern Command officials reported.

Six Department of Defense C-130 aircraft under the command and control of U.S. Northern Command now are assisting in the firefighting effort at the request of the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho, officials said.

C-130 efforts yesterday centered on the Squirrel Creek Fire, located about three miles west of Woods Landing, Wyo., officials said, discharging about 8,500 gallons of retardant.