VNG assists with statewide firefighting effort

The Virginia National Guard deployed ground crews to support containment efforts at the Quaker Run Fire in Madison County, Virginia, Nov. 15, 2023, after demobilizing the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters providing aerial fire suppression support to the Virginia Department of Forestry Nov. 11, 2023.

Approximately 30 VNG Soldiers and Airmen conducted wildland firefighter training with the DOF Nov. 12-14 at Fort Barfoot. They received their personal protective equipment, and the training stressed safety and also focused on basic tools, familiarization with bulldozers and engines, fireline construction and proper fire shelter use.

With their training complete, the troops deployed to Madison County to assist the DOF with mop-up operations where they patrolled previously burned areas looking for hotspots and used blowers to clear newly-fallen leaves to help prevent reburn and maintain fire containment. VNG support helps with the overall containment effort of the Quaker Run Fire and allows DOF to reposition resources to other fires in the state.

After Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency Nov. 6, 2023, aviation crews assigned to the Sandston-based 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment, 29th Infantry Division deployed to Madison County with two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters equipped with 660-gallon water buckets and remained through Nov. 9. Two helicopters flew missions in Patrick County Nov. 11. In Patrick County, aviation crews made a total of 21 drops of nearly 13,900 gallons of water. In Madison County, they made 33 drops of nearly 22,800 gallons of water.