Wyoming opened a $7.5 million helibase at the Casper-Natrona County International Airport, according to Governor Mark Gordon's office. The facility is designed to accelerate wildfire response times and improve coordination between state aviation assets and local fire districts.
The project comes amid a significant wildfire season. Wyoming has faced over 1,000 wildfires this season, burning approximately 72,000 acres, with about 75 to 80 percent on state and private lands, the State Forestry Division said.
The helibase was funded through the State Investment Policy Authority during the 2024 legislative session to integrate state fire suppression aviation efforts with federal partners. It was completed ahead of schedule and under budget, according to the governor's office.
Multiple agencies contributed to the project, including the State Construction Department, local fire districts, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Wildland Fire Service, and the U.S. Forest Service.
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."