drops at Stampede Reservoir, Calif., this summer. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Emerson
Marcus.
CARSON CITY – Two Nevada Army Guard helicopters have been dispatched to California to assist with fighting wildfires.
More than 13,000 firefighters are battling 12 large California fires.
The Valley Fire in Middletown, the Butte Fire and Lumpkin Fire in Oroville, Calif. have prompted a state of emergency declaration by Governor Jerry Brown.
More than 100,000 acres have burned, including nearly 600 homes destroyed. One person has died.
Nevada crews, with 18 soldiers, have been dispatched to Mather Air Force Base near Sacramento, manning a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter and one CH-47 Chinook helicopter in addition to two fuel tankers.
The helicopters have water buckets to support wildfire suppression.
Locally, Catholic Charities has organized aid efforts to those affected by the Valley fire.
“Our St. Vincent’s Food Pantry is loading up supplies to include food, diapers, dog food, bedding, water, snacks, hygiene items … to donate to victims of the Valley Fire near Clear Lake in California,” said Catholic Charities’ spokesperson Auburn Hutton. “Valley View Christian Fellowship Church is a partner food pantry and contacted us about bringing supplies to the fire victims in California.”
Smoke and haze have cleared today in Reno but are likely to return as a result of the fires.
