CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WBOY) — Two West Virginia National Guard (WVNG) Blackhawk helicopters have arrived in Hardy County to help fight the large wildfire that has been burning for several days.
In a press release from the WVNG, Director of Joint Operations Lt. Col. Todd Justice said that the fire, which is near Wardensville and the Virginia state line in Hardy County, has burned more than 4,000 acres as of midday Friday, which is 500 acres more than as of Thursday evening.
The deployment is in response to the State of Emergency declaration Gov. Jim Justice made on Thursday for Grant, Hardy, Hampshire and Pendleton counties.
The buckets that the Blackhawks carry can haul up to 630 gallons of water at a time and can reach dangerous terrain that is unsafe for ground crews. The personnel and aircraft that are responding are from Wheeling and Parkersburg, the release said.
“Our aircrews have extensive experience in helping to combat wildland fires, and we will do all we can to help bring these fires under control to protect lives and property in the impacted communities,” Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Bill Crane said in the release.
Fire departments said Thursday that the fire had already destroyed “countless” buildings, and volunteer firefighters from multiple states and across West Virginia responded to the area to help.
Fire departments across the Potomac Highlands area and at the Bruceton Brandon Volunteer Fire Department in north central West Virginia have been collecting items like cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, towels, blankets, hygiene products, bottled water, nonperishable foods, paper towels, toiletries, garbage bags and two-stroke oil to first responders and people who have been displaced or list their homes to the fire.
