Colorado wildland fire aviation training exercises set for April 21-28
The Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control and the Colorado National Guard will conduct helicopter-based fire suppression and classroom training April 21-28 as part of the annual Colorado Fire Aviation Summit, an interagency wildland fire training exercise ahead of the 2026 wildfire season.
The training will include targeted aerial water delivery practice at Chatfield State Park in Littleton, Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge in Commerce City, and Ralph Price Reservoir at Button Rock Preserve in Longmont. Aircraft will operate from Vance Brand Municipal Airport in Longmont and Buckley Space Force Base in Aurora. Most flights are scheduled for April 22-24 and April 28-30.
The joint exercise comes amid concern in the fire community that cuts to federal wildfire crews could weaken fire-season readiness heading into summer.
Participating agencies include Boulder Fire-Rescue, the City of Longmont, the Longmont Fire Department, the USDA Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management. The exercises aim to improve coordinated response and airspace deconfliction between federal, state and local agencies.
“Working with our partners to conduct this type of training is crucial,” said Division of Fire Prevention and Control Director Mike Morgan. “Especially with the current and predicted conditions we are facing with the lack of snowpack this year. Wildfires know no boundaries. They cross between federal, tribal, state, and private lands, making coordination between fire management agencies a fundamental component of wildland firefighting.”
Spring wildfires are already testing Colorado; earlier this month, Governor Jared Polis declared an emergency for the Schwachheim Fire near Trinidad.
Academic training will be held at the Army Aviation Support Facility at Buckley Space Force Base. Aircraft involved include Single Engine Air Tankers, UH-72 Lakota helicopters, UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and CH-47 Chinook helicopters.
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“A key component of the Colorado Army National Guard’s mission is our commitment to the citizens of Colorado,” said Lieutenant Colonel Muriel Missler, Director of Aviation and Safety. “Our collaborative aerial firefighting training with civilian and interstate partners is designed to ensure our air and ground crews are prepared to protect our communities from wildfires.”
The Colorado Army National Guard’s aviation role has expanded under recent leadership; former Adjutant General Laura Clellan reflected on improvements she led at the Colorado National Guard before her retirement last year.
Temporary public safety closures will be in effect at Button Rock Preserve while aircraft are operating in the area. A media day is scheduled for Thursday, April 23, at Vance Brand Airport, with arrival at 8:00 a.m. and a briefing at 9:00 a.m., followed by interview and photo opportunities.
Media wishing to attend the April 23 media day must RSVP to Tracy LeClair at tracy.leclair@state.co.us or 970-841-9230 by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, April 20. No media flights will be offered this year, but field photos and B-roll will be made available.
