Military Department provides helicopter for wildfire air support

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The Oklahoma Military Department is providing a Blackhawk helicopter to help local officials battle wildfires across the state.<br/><br/>Officials say drought conditions, occasional

Wednesday, August 10th 2005, 2:06 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The Oklahoma Military Department is providing a Blackhawk helicopter to help local officials battle wildfires across the state.

Officials say drought conditions, occasional lightning strikes and arsonist attacks have led to a recent increase in wildfires in Oklahoma, especially in southeastern Oklahoma.

The aircraft will arrive today at the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry's Broken Bow headquarters.

The helicopter will assist ground crews by dumping water from a 660-gallon bucket.