June 1 -- Georgia National Guard helicopters continue the aerial battle against the largest forest fire ever recorded in Georgia. To date Army Guard helicopters have flown more than 353 hours dropping more than 3100 “bambi bags” of water, equivalent to more than 3 million gallons of water. Since the fire erupted in April, close to 600,000 acres have been scorched in southeast Georgia and eighteen homes destroyed. Fortunately, there have been no fatalities reported.

Despite official reports that the two main fires, Sweat Farm Road and Big Turnaround are 85 percent and 50 percent contained respectively, dry, hot and gusty winds continue to fan the fire. Drought conditions throughout the state have reached critical levels and have hindered firefighters. According to GEMA officials, crews are fighting more than 66 smaller fires.

Georgia Army National Guard aviation assets continue their month-long battle against the fires. Currently Georgia National Guard assets include a CH-47 Chinook and two UH-60 Black Hawks. The Chinook flown by members of the 169th Aviation Regiment from Hunter Army Airfield and the two Black Hawks from the Dobbins–based 171st Aviation Battalion dump thousands of gallons of water each day on the spreading fire.

The air battle against the fires is supplemented by 20 National Guard personnel. An additional 33 personnel on state active duty recently arrived at the scene with nine vehicles and one water buffalo to provide logistical support. The Georgia Air Guard has deployed two members from the 283rd CBCS at Dobbins to provide communications support. The Georgia State Defense Force is also supporting the firefighting efforts. Some 30 personnel from Training Site Command, 175th Engr Plt and 874th Engr Det are supporting the Swampfire Mission at MOPUP Command in Jesup Ga. The Guard is also providing logistics and vehicle support to the Fire Fighting Task Forces in Jesup, Statesboro, Tifton, Waycross; and the just completed mission at St George. The GSDF is providing security, fire watch, and traffic control support. As many as 20 GSDF personnel at a time have been assigned to the mission. The Ware County EMA continues to use the National Guard armory in Waycross to coordinate the massive fire campaign. In all, more than 1,200 personnel from 33 states are engaged in suppressing the fire.

Georgia National Guard officials indicate the current level of support will continue until the Georgia Forestry Commission officials indicate that the spread of the fires have been contained.