Air Force firefighting C-130s return to duty

The Air Force returned its firefighting C-130s to operational status Tuesday after grounding the fleet for one day following the crash of a C-130 battling a fire in southwestern North Dakota on Sunday, the Northern Command announced.

The seven remaining C-130s returned to service at bases in Colorado and Wyoming as the National Interagency Fire Center predicted “above normal significant fire potential” in both states in an update Monday to its 2012 fire season outlook. The aircraft are equipped with a Forest Service system that can dump 3,000 gallons of fire retardant in five seconds over an area one-quarter of a mile long and 60 feet wide.

NIFC reported firefighters are battling five blazes covering 107 square miles in Colorado and six that have consumed 246 square miles in Wyoming. The Waldo Canyon fire, which destroyed 345 homes in Colorado Springs, Colo., as it spread across 28 square miles since June 23, is now 70 percent contained, fire managers said.

The Agriculture Department said 1,523 federal, state and local firefighters; more than 80 fire engines; and eight helicopters continued to battle the Colorado Springs fire Tuesday.

To ensure it has enough personnel to handle fires for the rest of the summer, the Agriculture Department said the Army has started to train a battalion at Fort Carson, near Colorado Springs, to serve as ground firefighters. During classroom sessions, soldiers will learn about wildfire suppression, including fire behavior and fire line safety. During field exercises, they will receive instruction in fire suppression methods and procedures.

Agriculture said these troops then will be available to serve as firefighters anywhere they are needed nationwide.