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# Alaska Army National Guard helping fight massive Sockeye Fire

By National Guard Bureau

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska - Two Alaska Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and aircrews from the 1st Battalion, 207th Aviation Regiment have helped fight the Sockeye Fire since Sunday, performing water bucket operations near Willow.

The 1-207th AVN was in the air within two hours of accepting its mission to support the firefight on June 14 about 5 p.m.

The fire has affected more than 7,800 acres and destroyed between 50-100 structures, according to media reports.

Alaska Army National Guard crews flew one mission Sunday and two Monday, dropping a total of 66,000 gallons of water so far. Aircrews for water bucket drops typically include two pilots and one or sometimes two crew chiefs in each helicopter. The 1-207th has 11 qualified crews who must be swapped out every three to four days.

Gov. Bill Walker issued a state disaster declaration Modnay, shortly after the Mat-Su Borough's request.

In issuing the declaration, the state's Public and Individual Assistance programs have been activated.

"I am proud of all the agencies, emergency personnel, and volunteers who have been working together and have done a great job in their initial response to the fire," Walker said. "The fire itself has been powerful, but the human response has been equally as powerful. There has been tremendous support from around the state. The disaster declaration will put the borough in a position to have access to necessary resources from around the state."

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