Helicopters Mobilize To Fight Hawaii Fires
Army, Navy, Coast Guard helicopters see action on Hawaii fires.
Two Hawaii Army National Guard CH47 Chinook perform aerial water bucket drops on the Island of Maui to assist the fight of wildfires, Maui, Hawaii, August 09, 2023. The two air crews performed 58 total bucket drops in five hours in up country Maui totaling over one hundred thousand gallons dropped on the fires. (U.S. National Guard Video by Air Force Master Sgt. Andrew Jackson)

As the death toll continues to rise from major fires on Maui and Hawaii islands, active-duty military helicopter crews under U.S. Indo-Pacific Command are providing support to firefighting efforts in the state.

The Army’s 25th Combat Aviation Brigade deployed two UH-60 Blackhawks and one CH-47 Chinook to Hawaii's Big Island to conduct firefighting operations. Meanwhile, Navy Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 37 sent MH-60R Seahawk helicopters to assist the U.S. Coast Guard in search-and-rescue operations. The Coast Guard also has deployed numerous air assets to Maui, including an MH-65 Dolphin Helicopter from Air Station Barber’s Point.

The Hawaii fires started on Tuesday and have become far more intense due to high winds of up to 60 mph from Hurricane Dora combined with conditions of low humidity. At least 36 deaths had been reported as of this morning.