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National Guard scales firefighting, air and ground support in Spokane region
Summary
Major General Gent Welsh outlined National Guard firefighting crews, helicopter bases and community support work, saying Guard crews free up DNR crews and will support Red Cross distribution of PPE and homeowner kits.
Major General Gent Welsh, the state's adjutant general, described the National Guard's operational footprint across the state and specific support in the Spokane area. "So right now, we've got about a 105 firefighters on the little giant fire," Welsh said, noting Guard crews free Department of Natural Resources crews to focus elsewhere and that Guard aviators are flying long shifts from helicopter bases in Deer Park and Wenatchee.
Welsh said Guard personnel are also supporting traffic control, assisting law enforcement and partnering with the Red Cross to scale delivery of kits that include Tyvek suits and PPE to homeowners. He said some traffic-control points are being pulled back to redeploy personnel and that the Guard will remain on state active duty as needed.
