Two Utah Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters are actively assisting firefighting operations against the Black Canyon Fire burning near Ephraim in Sanpete County, according to state officials. The deployment comes as wildfire activity across the United States reaches National Preparedness Level 5, the highest designation issued by federal officials.
Deployment to the Black Canyon Fire
The Utah Army National Guard deployed the two Black Hawk aircraft to perform critical water bucket operations on the ground, according to the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands (FFSL). The lightning-caused Black Canyon Fire has burned over 1,700 acres and remains zero percent contained, according to the most recent updates provided by the U.S. Forest Service.
Beyond water drops, the aircraft possess hoist rescue capabilities that provide emergency response options for crews operating in rugged terrain. “The deployment of these Black Hawk helicopters provides additional capability at a time when aviation resources are in high demand nationwide,” said Deputy State Fire Management Officer Mike Melton, noting that the aircraft strengthen response efforts while supporting firefighter safety on the ground.
National and Regional Wildfire Statistics
National firefighting resources remain heavily strained under peak seasonal activity. According to the National Interagency Fire Center, more than 28,700 personnel have been assigned to incidents across the country. Firefighters have responded to over 45,000 wildfires nationwide that have burned more than 5.4 million acres.
In Utah alone, fire officials have documented 790 total wildfires this year, which have scorched more than 486,000 acres. The Great Basin Geographic Area—spanning Utah, Nevada, and parts of California, Idaho, and Oregon—currently sits at Preparedness Level 4, highlighting intense regional demand for suppression personnel and equipment.
National Guard Emergency Response Capacity
The Utah Army National Guard maintains mission-ready aircraft and trained flight crews specifically designated to support state and federal agencies during large-scale disasters. FFSL noted that these aviation assets provide vital assistance during severe wildfire incidents when commercial and civil resources are stretched thin across multiple states.
