The annual national recertification event for the U.S. Forest Service Helicopter Rappel Program is planned west of Bend adjacent to Forest Service Road 41. The event is scheduled to start April 13, and run through April 21. Additional days are possible if weather impacts helicopter operations.
During the training dates, the public can anticipate up to six helicopters hovering in the air west of Forest Service Road 41 and south of the Cascade Lakes Highway at any given time between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., including on weekends.
While no trail or road closures are anticipated, those recreating along Forest Service Road 41 and adjacent trails should adhere to any posted signage and avoid closed areas for their safety and the safety of training participants.
The national rappel event will provide certification for 65 spotters and 185 veteran rappellers.
Rappellers are aerial-delivered wildland firefighters who rappel out of a helicopter to fight wildfires that are often in remote, difficult-to-reach locations. In addition to initial attack, rappel crews also respond to large fires, all-hazard incident operations, and resource management objectives.
For further questions contact the Deschutes National Forest at (541) 383-5300.
About the Forest Service: The USDA Forest Service has for more than 100 years brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science and technology– and rooted in communities–the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.
This story is based on submitted information and has not been verified by our news team.
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