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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wyoming launches new aviation helibase to accelerate wildfire response times
CASPER, Wyo, Sept 28, 2026 — Gov. Mark Gordon (R-WY) joined state forestry officials Thursday to celebrate the ribbon cutting of a new $7.5 million helibase at the Casper-Natrona County International Airport. The facility is designed to accelerate response times and support the Governor’s goal of “put it out now.”
The Wyoming State Forestry Division project was completed ahead of schedule and under budget. The $7,516,286 relocation was funded through the State Investment Policy Authority (SIPA) during the 2024 legislative session to integrate state fire suppression aviation efforts with federal partners.
"Today I am happy to be here to celebrate the completion of Wyoming's new helibase and recognize interagency partnerships and dedication," Governor Gordon said. "This project has been completed ahead of time and under budget. This is how Wyoming solves problems. Working together. Being more efficient while saving costs.”
State officials highlighted several key takeaways regarding the infrastructure and current fire season:
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Interagency Collaboration: The facility is a first-of-its-kind hub in Wyoming providing a safe, functional workspace that combines offices for forestry staff and wildland firefighters.
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Modernized Logistics: The new infrastructure directly improves the efficiencies of Wyoming's aviation assets by replacing older, outdated operations.
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Critical Suppression Tools: Localized aviation resources serve as an essential tool for suppressing blazes quickly.
The ceremony comes as initial attack crews face severe wildfire pressure across the region.
As of today, Wyoming firefighters have responded to over 1,000 wildfires, which have burned about 72,000 acres this season, said State Forester Kelly Norris.
"Approximately 75 to 80 percent of those acres have occurred on state and private lands. The acreage number is important, as it is still under 75,000 acres, thanks to the additional firefighting capacity provided through the 2026 biennium budget and legislature,” Governor Gordon said.
The federal interagency program has expanded over the last two decades, anchored by a full-time helibase manager provided by the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland.
During the ceremony, state officials recognized the State Construction Department, local fire districts, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Wildland Fire Service and the U.S. Forest Service for their roles in making the facility operational.
“We are proud of what this facility represents—not only as a new piece of infrastructure, but as an investment in Wyoming’s ability to respond to wildfires and support the firefighters and foresters who work so hard to protect our state,” Norris said.
“Air resources have proven themselves time and time again,” said Craig Haslam, president of the Wyoming Rural Firefighters Association. “There are still risks in what we do in the wildland fire arena, but this new base will help us have a tool at our disposal that potentially will cut down the time and exposure for the firefighters in this great state.”
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For more information:
Janelle Collins, Strategic Communications Director, Office of Governor Mark Gordon, [email protected]
Alex Hargrave, Public Relations Specialist I, Forestry Division, [email protected]
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