Aviation firefighting training at Camp Ripley to include controlled burns

Controlled burns at Camp Ripley near Little Falls will be started this week as part of aviation fire training, the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said today.

Weather permitting, the burns are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The training will be conducted by the DNR's Fire Section Aviation group and the Minnesota National Guard Bravo Company with Guard Chinook helicopters. Each can carry a 2,000-gallon bucket.

Last year, the Guard's Charlie Company used its Blackhawk helicopters for fire suppression in Minnesota. But those helicopters are now assigned to Iraq, and the Bravo Company stepped up with its Chinooks to fill the void.