NPS Alaska exclusive use helicopter provides fire support to NPS Pacific West Region

NPS Eastern Area, NPS Western Area, and BLM-AFS interagency module, with pilot, mechanic, fuel truck driver.

Matt Desimone, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park FMO

Late July into August 2023, Alaska saw an unexpected late fire season in which both the NPS Eastern Area (Fairbanks, AK) and NPS Western Area (Denali Park, AK) Exclusive Use Fire Helicopters extended their contracts to assist the State of Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection and BLM-Alaska Fire Service with numerous ongoing fires. As seasonal moisture finally arrived in late August, the NPS Eastern Area Helicopter, with staffing from NPS Eastern Area, NPS Western Area, and BLM Alaska Fire Service, mobilized to the Lower 48 to support wildfires in NPS Pacific West Region. This mobilization was the first time ever the NPS Alaska Region sent an NPS Exclusive Use Fire Helicopter with crew to assist with large fire support in the Lower 48.

Hosted by North Cascades National Park (Marblemount, WA), the AS350 B3 type 3 helicopter was primarily assigned to the Sourdough Fire, while also assisting with missions monitoring neighboring wildfires in the wilderness of Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.

NPS Western Area crewmember being briefed on MOCA Shorthaul equipment and procedures

NPS

While in Marblemount, the Alaska interagency helicopter module was able to cross-train with North Cascades fire personnel, fire management staff, Climbing Rangers, the Mount Rainier North Cascades (MOCA) Helitack Module, and other resources assigned to the Sourdough Fire. Building these relationships allowed us to assist in a variety of aviation and non-aviation fire related missions.

This mobilization provided valuable experience for staff, demonstrated and illustrated a model for how the NPS can support firefighting efforts across regions (including Alaska!) where and when the need is greatest. NPS is thankful to all the fire management and aviation staff from multiple regions that came together to make this happen!

One of many scenic landing areas within the NPS Pacific West region

NPS

NPS Alaska wildland fire staff tagging the line.

NPS