PHOTOS: New helibase opens at Casper airport to support wildfire response
The Casper/Natrona County International Airport is now home to the Wyoming State Forestry Division’s new Helibase, providing a dedicated base for aerial firefighting and wildfire response. A ribbon-cutting took place Sept. 24, 2026, marking the opening of the new facility and its role in strengthening Wyoming’s wildfire response capabilities.
Wyoming State Forester Kelly Norris makes opening remarks at the Wyoming State Forestry Division Helibase ribbon cutting celebration on Sept. 24, 2026.
Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon speaks at the Wyoming State Forestry Division Helibase ribbon cutting celebration on Sept. 24, 2026.
WSFD Helitack Program Manager Chris Fallbeck speaks at the Wyoming State Forestry Division Helibase ribbon cutting celebration on Sept. 24, 2026.
Wyoming Rural Firefighters Association President Craig Haslam speaks at the Wyoming State Forestry Division Helibase ribbon cutting celebration on Sept. 24, 2026.
The Wyoming State Forestry Helibase marked the opening of its new facility at Casper/Natrona County International Airport with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 24, 2026.
A large crowd gathered at the ribbon cutting for the Wyoming State Forestry Helibase on Sept. 24, 2026.
Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon cuts the ribbon with an axe to officially open the Wyoming State Forestry Helibase on Sept. 24, 2026.
Artist Tiimo Mang speaks about his artwork which now hangs outside the Wyoming State Forestry Helibase on Sept. 24, 2026.
People walk through the new Wyoming State Forestry Helibase at the Casper/Natrona County International Airport on Sept. 24, 2026.
A new hangar at the Wyoming State Forestry Helibase houses a new firefighting helicopter on Sept. 24, 2026.
A new firefighting helicopter sits inside the hangar at the Wyoming State Forestry Helibase on Sept. 24, 2026.
A look inside a new firefighting helicopter sitting inside the hanger at the Wyoming State Forestry Helibase on Sept. 24, 2026.
Casper Airtanker Base Manager Darold Williams talks about the MD-80 Erickson Aero Tanker firefighting plane on Sept. 24, 2026.
Pictured is the cockpit of the firefighting Erickson Aero Tanker MD-80 on the ramp at Casper/Natrona County International Airport on Sept. 24, 2026.
The tanks which drop fire retardant in the rear of the MD-80 Erickson Aero Tanker on Sept. 24, 2026 at the Casper/Natrona County International Airport.
After years of operating from aging facilities, Wyoming’s wildfire aviation program has a new home built to change how crews respond.
