A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter from the Colorado Army National Guard’s 2nd Battalion, 135th General Support Aviation, drops 500 gallons of water from a specialized bucket onto the Lower North Fork Fire in the vicinity of Conifer, Colo., March 28, 2012. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Bethany Fehringer

DVIDS
Story by Sgt. Darron Salzer

Citizen-soldiers and airmen from five states are working alongside civilian first responders as they continue to battle wildfires in Colorado and New Mexico.

New Mexico Army National Guard members are still battling the Little Bear wildfire near Ruidoso, N.M., which is approximately 35 percent contained, said Guard officials.

The number of New Mexico Guard members has increased from 117 to approximately 218 since June 11. The New Mexico Guard has deployed three UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, two equipped with Bambi buckets and one on standby for medical evacuations.

Guard members there are also performing roving walking patrols, setting up traffic control points, and handing out information to residents who could be affected by the wildfire, officials said.

In Colorado, Guard members there are also continuing to battle the High Peak wildfire near Fort Collins, said officials.
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