The Wyoming State Forestry Division’s (WSFD) Helibase, located at C/NCIA, is complete and officially operating as Wyoming’s centralized wildland fire operations. On September 24th, the WSFD hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Helibase, celebrating the hard work and collaboration that made it possible to consolidate all state forestry aerial firefighting assets in Casper.

The Helibase’s central location enables Wyoming to strengthen its wildfire-fighting capabilities and provide cross-training for crews across the region. The Helibase includes fueling, parking, maintenance, and housing for firefighters, known as “helitack crews,” transported by helicopter to wildfires. Now, the state’s wildland firefighters can operate more effectively with resources from the WSFD, BLM, C/NCIA, and other agencies that made relocating to this location possible.

“Wyoming takes an ‘all-hands all-lands’ approach to wildland fire suppression,” says Kelly Norris, State Forester. “Interagency coordination is important as we continue to work together to protect our communities, infrastructure, watershed, land, and critical resources.”

Helibase Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on September 24th at the Helibase on the C/NCIA grounds and was attended by Governor Gordon, Kelly Norris, State Forester; Chris Fallback, AFMO-Aviation (WSFD Helitack Program); and many other local and state agencies and organizations who supported the project. Speaking from his experience as a rancher, Governor Gordon reflected on the reassurance that comes when a firefighting helicopter arrives during a wildfire.

“With the commitment Wyoming has to fighting fires, we’ve been able to get ahead of them, luckily,” says Gov. Gordon. “It’s a one-of-a-kind facility, and knowing it’s more in the center of the state is very reassuring. It’s good to have. But nothing replaces the courage and tenacity of our firefighters.”

He also thanked the firefighters who respond across Wyoming and recognized the collaboration among the BLM, state forestry, Airport, Legislature, and other partners that collaborated to relocate the helibase to Casper, including Caspar Building Systems, which handled the construction, and the Wyoming Arts Council, which provided artwork for the facility. The central location of the new facility provides a strategic home for aerial firefighting resources and strengthens Wyoming’s ability to respond to wildfires statewide.

“Technology has advanced fire suppression, but it still takes boots on the ground and propellers in the air,” speakers noted during the ceremony. Together, those people and resources help protect Wyoming’s communities, lives, and property when wildfire threatens.

The ribbon-cutting marks the start of a new era for aerial firefighting in Wyoming. Together with the BLM’s Single Engine Air Tankers (SEAT) and Large Air Tankers (LAT) Base next to the Helibase, Wyoming will see improved air firefighting capabilities and support for firefighters on the ground throughout the state for years to come. 

Helibase Summer Operations

Despite the ribbon-cutting taking place in late September, helitack crews have been operating from the helibase for all of summer 2026. If you were wondering what a fire season at the Helibase might look like, it’s a complex, all-hands-on-deck system with multiple days yielding 10 to 20 new wildfire starts. Though summer has ended, fire season often continues into the fall.

Multi-agency collaboration supports the Helibase’s aerial firefighting capacity, which has been especially effective at attacking fires quickly and aggressively this summer, keeping them small and manageable for local resources. Aviation remains essential for fighting early-emerging fires, including both helicopters and single-engine airtankers. Here’s how aviation supported wildland fire suppression this summer:

  • Medium helitacak helicopter responded to 28 fires. Type 3 helitack helicopter supported 41 fires. Together, these aircraft have delivered more than 382,410 gallons of water since early June. 
  • Responded to Wyoming’s largest fire: Weiser Knoll Fire in Fremont County (15,817 acres)
  • Assisted three states outside of Wyoming: Montana, South Dakota, and Nebraska

At C/NCIA, we are thrilled to be the home of the State’s new Helibase. We are beyond grateful for the support of our community, partners, legislature, and everyone who played a role in bringing this project to life over the last several years.