OSHKOSH, NEBRASKA (RFD-TV) — When wildfire smoke begins to rise, aircraft are often among the first tools used to respond.
The U.S. Forest Service is now testing a new approach called Operation Sky Hammer, designed to improve success during the early stages of a wildfire.
The effort combines two helitankers, a helicopter coordinator, and a mobile retardant base to create a highly mobile response team. The goal is to position these resources in high-risk areas and respond quickly to stop small fires before they grow.
Regional Aviation Officer Clark Hammond says the program is built on lessons learned from past fire seasons.
“There are holes everywhere you look. That takes time, depending on where the resources are able to fill that hole. That’s one reason we’re standing this project up — to fill some of the gaps that we found within the region.”
The Forest Service currently contracts more than 600 aircraft to assist with wildfire response efforts.
Last year, more than 77,000 wildfires burned over five million acres across the United States.
Nearly two months after devastating wildfires swept through parts of Nebraska, ranchers in the Sandhills are now facing new challenges as relentless wind and dry conditions continue to slow recovery efforts.
Nebraska cattle rancher Joe Van Newkirk joined us on Monday’s Market Day Report to share an update on conditions at his operation following the fire.
In his interview with RFD-TV, Van Newkirk discussed the initial damage caused by the wildfire and described what his ranch operation looks like now, eight weeks after the event, and addressed how ongoing wind conditions have contributed to additional damage beyond the fire itself.
Van Newkirk also spoke about the challenges of rebuilding essential infrastructure, including fencing and water systems affected by sand and debris, and the conditions that would need to improve to support recovery moving forward. He also discussed whether available disaster resources have been helpful during the recovery process.
