TN National Guard to assist in Tiger Island, Louisiana wildfire

Tiger Island Wildfire

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF) — Governor Bill Lee authorized the Tennessee National Guard to send troops to assist in battling a Louisiana wildfire.

Officials say this is the largest wildfire in Louisiana history.

Two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters from Knoxville’s 230th Assault Helicopter Battalion departed on Monday morning, according to Tennessee Adjutant General, Brig. Gen. Warner Ross.

Ross said these crews will support state, county and local emergency responders who are fighting a wildfire on Tiger Island, in the Beauregard Parish.

The team consists of 12 members, who departed from the McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base in Knoxville. They will land at the Esler Regional Airport in Rapides Parish, Louisiana.

These crews will use Bambi Buckets to deliver hundreds of gallons of water to fight the wildfires. The National Guard says the Blackhawks will get water from nearby sources and drop it directly on needed areas.

States can request support from other states during disasters through their emergency management agencies.