Skip to content

Firefighting training at Sand Hills State Forest

May 3, 2019

Firefighting training at Sand Hills State Forest

Residents in the area of the Sand Hills State Forest will see some unusual smoke and aircraft Saturday, May 4.

The South Carolina Forestry Commission and South Carolina Army National Guard will be conducting joint training exercises at Sand Hills State Forest Saturday, May 4, to practice coordination and communication on wildfires.

Teams of SCFC firefighters from around the state will conduct prescribed burns that serve as targets for water drops by SCARNG helicopters. Firefighters on the ground will practice working through the national guard’s chain of command to direct the helicopters, which use a “Bambi bucket” to dip water from a nearby lake, for drops on the fires.

Two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters, SCFC firefighters, airplanes and ground crew, along with personnel from local fire departments, the US Fish & Wildlife Service and US Forest Service, will participate in the training.

 

Leave a Comment