Army copters to join Big Island firefight

Advertiser Staff

Two Blackhawk helicopters from the 25th Infantry Division (Light) at Schofield Barracks will join the firefighting effort today at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.

The blaze has blackened 3,660 acres. The helicopters will dip 660 gallon buckets into the ocean and fly inward to douse hot spots with seawater.

The fire was ignited May 17 by a lava flow from the ongoing Kilauea eruption.

Fifty-five firefighters from National Park Service properties on the Big Island are battling the fire with the help of 80 specially trained "hot shots" from the Mainland.