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Following are listed
selected public safety missions performed by STAR Flight.
They have been categorized into Search & Rescue,
Water Rescue, and Fire Missions. Law
Enforcement missions and searches (land and water) with
no victims located have not been included. |
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To learn
more about STAR Flight's Rescue Mission and Aircraft
click here... |
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2007 |
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Search &
Rescue Missions |
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Jan 7 |
SF
crews locate lost hiker using night vision goggles in
the Barton Creek Greenbelt. A rescuer is rappelled to
the victims location and then both are short-hauled to a
safe location near by. |
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| Jan 28 |
SF
requested by APD to help locate an armed bipolar male
stating he is lost in a remote area behind his apartment
complex off of FM 620. SF crews along with APD search
dogs attempt to locate the subject for nearly 2 hours
without success. The subject was later found at his
apartment making fake 9-1-1 calls. |
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Feb 24 |
SF is
requested to assist ground rescue crews at Pedernales
State Park locate and rescue an approximately 40 year
old male that has fallen and suffered minor injuries.
The victim is located by SF and a rescuer immediately
rappels to the victim below. The victim’s injuries are
stabilized and the victim is then packaged. Both the
victim and rescuer are short hauled to a safe location
where a ground ambulance awaits to transport the victim
to a local hospital. |
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Mar 17 |
SF dispatched to Sculpture
Falls area of greenbelt for an unconscious pediatric.
SF arrived first on scene and quickly rappelled a
rescuer in to evaluate and initiate care on the patient.
Patient ultimately deemed stable and extracted from area
via ground and transported to hospital. |
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Mar 18 |
STAR Flight
is dispatched to a report of a male who has fallen 50-60
feet down a cliff. He is located by AFD personnel
directly across the river from Fire Station 31. SF
personnel assist in extricating patient via AFD
fireboat. He is transported to Brackenridge with serious
injuries. |
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May 7 |
After dark, STAR Flight is called to
assist search crews from local fire departments, Travis
County Sheriff’s Department and Austin/Travis County EMS
locate a 65 year old female that had not returned after
a trip into a nearby greenbelt. STAR Flight spends
several hours working with crews on the ground searching
the rugged terrain for the missing female. STAR Fight is
eventually released when a helicopter from the Texas
Department of Public Safety arrives to help. The victim
is eventually found unharmed the next morning almost 5
miles away through very dense and difficult terrain. |
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| May 21 |
STAR
Flight is requested by Austin Police Dept. to help
locate a subject lost in a creek bottom. After receiving
limited information, STAR Flight starts searching the
creek for the victim. Using night vision goggles, the
victim is located and a STAR Flight rescuer is rappelled
to a nearby location. After evaluating the victim for
medical complaints, the victim is escorted by police
officers and a STAR Flight rescuer to the aircraft. The
victim is flown to Brackenridge Hospital for further
evaluation. |
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July 7 |
STAR
Flight is requested to assist ATCEMS Special
Operations Paramedics already on scene of a 17 year old
male injured on the green belt. SF rescuer
rappelled in to scene. Patient is secured in a
rapid extraction device and short-hauled with rescuer
approximately 1/2 mile to safe lz. |
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| Aug 4 |
STAR Flight dispatched to
green belt area for a report of a male injured from a
fall. SF arrives over scene just after ground
crews make access and report a partially-conscious male.
SF rescuer rappels to patient side to assist paramedic
in treating patient. Helicopter able to safely
land nearby where patient is hot-loaded into aircraft
for transport to the trauma center with serious
injuries. |
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| July 23 |
SF
dispatched to Barton Creek Greenbelt area for a report of an
unconscious male. Ground teams arrive on scene
first and request SF to rappel rescuer for assistance.
Patient found to be critically ill from traumatic
injuries, is intubated,
secured, and moved to an open area. Patient and
victim are then short-hauled to an area where the
helicopter can safely land. Due to the short
distance to the hospital, patient and Flight Nurse are
loaded into an ambulance and transported to the trauma
center where the patient is admitted in critical
condition.
See video of this rescue here...
Official ATCEMS Press Release |
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Water Rescue
Missions |
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Mar 12 |
SF
requested by rescuers in Bastrop County to assist in the
rescue of an elderly man stuck in a tree after his car
had become submerged by flood waters in a low water
crossing. The victim was placed in a cinch collar,
attached to a short haul line and moved to safety by
STAR Flight crews. |
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Mar 12 |
STAR Flight
is requested to assist in locating a victim that has
been swept down river by flood waters after attempting
to cross a low water crossing in the Seguin area. SF
crews initiate a search of the area and quickly locate
the victim who has drowned. Ground crews recover
her body. |
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Mar 13 |
STAR Flight
is requested to assist rescue crews in the Georgetown
area locate a victim that had been swept down stream
during an attempted rescue. SF crews search the area
utilizing night vision goggles but are unable to locate
the victim. He is later found apx. 1 mile
downriver from the point last seen. |
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Mar 30 |
STAR Flight requested to
respond to Barton Ck to assist in rescue of 13 year old
boy swept downstream after attempting to rescue his dog.
Boy located on small island. Rescuer short-hauled
to boys location. Victim secured in cinch-collar
device and short-hauled with rescuer to safe location.
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| May 22 |
STAR
Flight requested by EMS and fire department units to
assist in locating and rescuing three individuals that
were stuck on top of their vehicles in rising flood
waters. STAR Flight arrived on scene and found two
victims on top of their cars in swift flood water.
Another vehicle was located near by with another
individual in its truck bed. STAR Flight crews set up
for a short haul and move a rescuer to the first two
vehicles with two victims. The two victims are
successfully rescued from the top of the vehicle and
moved to safety.
Nearby a third vehicle is located in the swift moving
flood water, this time a victim is standing in the bed
of a pick up truck. Due to the vehicles' location and
trees in the area a rescuer enters the flood water and
swims to the victim’s location. STAR Flight rescuer
secures the victim and both are short hauled to a safe
location nearby.
For
more information on this rescue,
click here...
See
video of this rescue here:
KCEN TV
KVUE
TV |
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| May 27 |
STAR
flight requested to assist in rescue of 18 year old male
stranded on the shore of a flooded creek. STAR Flight
arrives on scene and locates the victim near the rushing
water. A STAR Flight rescuer is short hauled to the
victim’s location and secured using a rapid extraction
harness. The rescuer and victim are short hauled to a
safe location nearby. The victim is found to have no
injuries and refuses medical treatment or transport to a
hospital. |
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| Jun 15 |
STAR
Flight requested to rescue six people stranded on a rock
in the fast-moving Pedernales River. Park rangers
from Pedernales State Park called SF to assist in the
rescue of two families caught in the middle of the
raging Pedernales River. Both families were
standing on a rock that was sticking only 6-8 inches out
of the water. SF immediately initiated short-haul
operations, lifting two people at a time from the rock.
It took less than 12 minutes to safely move all six
patients. Flash
floods several miles upriver created a strong surge of
water that drove the water from 5 feet deep to over 13
feet deep in less than an hour.
For video and additional information about this rescue,
click here... |
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June 27 |
SF sent to several
locations (4) in Williamson County to search for victims
stranded on roofs. Ultimately sent to RR 1869 1 mile
south of CR 332 to 3 civilians and 1 Liberty Hill PD
officer stranded on high ground surrounded by rising
water. Helicopter able to land on high ground near
victims. All victims loaded in aircraft and moved
to safer ground in two trips. |
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June 28 |
STAR Flight is requested
to assist in a rescue on the Lampassas River in Burnet
County for two kayakers swept away on the flooded river.
After a short search, SF crews locate both kayakers in
fast-moving flood waters. Both kayakers are out of
their boats. The helicopter lands and quickly
deploys the rescue swimmer on the end of the short haul
line. The rescue swimmer is placed in the water
close to the victim, who is secured and pulled from the
water. A similar "live-bait" rescue is performed
for the second victim. Both victims are deemed
medically stable and left in care of on-scene EMS.
This is the first time
that STAR Flight has utilized this type of
moving-aircraft rescue. Due to the dynamic nature
of fast-moving water, in addition to a myriad of hazards
(including trees, power lines strung over the river,
and, in this case, two bridges), this type of rescue is
reserved for times when it is the last resort.
For more on this
rescue,
click here...
KCEN
TV
KVUE TV |
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| July 6 |
STAR
Flight requested to assist Caldwell County First
Responders in evacuation of family from fast-rising
flood waters. SF arrived over scene and determined
that aircraft could safely land near residence that
occupants were stranded on. Evacuees safely
assisted to aircraft and flown to safe area. |
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| July 20 |
STAR
Flight requested to assist Guadalupe County & New Berlin
First Responders with the rescue of a man stranded on a
rooftop of a vehicle in high water. Attempts to
rescue him via a high-clearance vehicle were
unsuccessful as the water was too deep. Rescuer
short-hauled to victim, who was secured utilizing a
rapid-extraction collar. Both victim and rescuer
moved to safe area roughly 3/10 mile away. |
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| July 20 |
STAR
Flight requested to assist Bell County/Belton FD in
rescue of two individual trapped on a log surrounded by
fast-moving water after the two teenage boys decided to
raft the flooded Leon River and immediately flipped
their raft. The flip was witnessed by a sister who
called her mother. The mother called 911. SF assisted into scene by Bell
Co. Air 1. Two victims located, both victims are
located in a tree in the middle of a stand of trees
making boat access
very difficult. Rescuer
short-hauled to victims. First victim secured into
cinch-collar rescue device and second victim placed in a
rescue flotation device. Victim #1 and rescuer
then short-hauled to secure location. Victim #2
rescued utilizing same method. Both victims
evaluated and deemed to have no injuries.
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| Aug 11 |
STAR
Flight deployed rescue swimmer to assist in search for
missing swimmer at Windy Point, a popular recreational
area of Lake Travis. |
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| Nov 18 |
STAR
Flight is requested for the rescue of a 19 y.o. FM rock
climber who has free-fallen ~50 feet in a remote
climbing area in Western Travis County. SF-1 is
the first ALS unit on scene just after dark. The
climbing party is quickly located utilizing night-vision
goggles at the base of a 45-50 foot cliff under heavy
tree cover. The crew decides that the quickest and
safest approach is to land at the top of the cliff and
to rappel the rescuer from an anchor point on top of the
cliff. Once on scene, the Rescue Paramedic/Nurse
quickly stabilizes the patient's injuries, administers
appropriate IV pain medications, and prepares her for
rapid evacuation. It is determined that over-land
evacuation would take ~45mins - 1 hour. SF-1
performs a short-haul evacuation of the patient and
medic/nurse under night-vision goggles, quickly loads
the patient into the aircraft and transports her to
Brackenridge Trauma Center with serious injuries. The
entire on scene operation takes less than 45 mins. |
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Fire Missions |
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| Feb 19 |
SF
assists several fire departments in western Travis
County battle an approximately 100 acre fire
located on Crumley Ranch Rd. A total of 25 buckets of
water are dropped on the fire. |
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| Feb 24 |
SF
assists Williamson County firefighters battle a 120
brush fire north of Leander off of Hwy 183. STAR
Flight crews drop a total of 5 buckets of water and
provide aerial surveillance until released by
firefighters on the ground. |
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| Feb 24 |
SF
assists Westlake firefighters extinguish a small brush
fire. A total of 8 buckets of water are dropped. |
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| Feb 24 |
SF
assists Austin Fire Department extinguish a 2-3 acre
brush fire that was inaccessible by ground. A total of
26 buckets of water were dropped on the brush fire. |
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| Feb 26 |
SF assists Burnet County
and Texas Forest Service with a 60 acre brush fire with
threatened structures near Hwy 183 and the Williamson
County line. 31 bucket drops. |
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2006
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Search &
Rescue Missions |
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| Jan 09 |
Requested to assist Travis
County Sheriffs deputies in locating suicidal male in
wooded area. Subject found deceased. |
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| Mar 11 |
Bystanders locate injured
hiker on green belt east of Loop 360. STAR
Flight locates patient and provides on scene medical
care. Patient suffers broken arm and leg.
Taken to Brackenridge Hospital by STAR Flight. |
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| Mar 17 |
Victim falls 30 feet off
cliff suffering leg and rib fractures. STAR
Flight requested to assist in locating and rescuing
victim. Victim located and STAR Flight
crew member rappelled to patient side. Patient
packaged with assistance from other first responders on
scene. Patient and rescuer short hauled to
clearing, then loaded into aircraft and flown to
Brackenridge Trauma Center with non-life threatening
injuries. |
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| Apr 20 |
Person falls approximately
10 feet in green belt and suffers broken arm and leg.
Victim located by STAR Flight who is able
to land in dry creek bed. Patient receives medical
care from STAR Flight and flown to
Brackenridge Trauma Center with non-life threatening
injuries. |
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| Apr 22 |
STAR Flight
requested to assist in the rescue of ATV accident in an
extremely remote area in Edwards County near Mexican
border. STAR Flight rescuer
rappelled to victim and provided initial ALS medical
care. The patient was packaged and short hauled,
along with rescuer, to a safe location. Patient
then loaded and flown to University Hospital in San
Antonio with non-life threatening injuries. |
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| May 01 |
STAR Flight
requested to assist in rescue of victim that had fallen
into crevice at Enchanted Rock SP and suffered several
rib fractures and a closed head injury. A
STAR Flight rescuer rappelled to the patient's
side to provide medical care. Patient packaged
using a back board and a Baughman bag, and short hauled
with rescuer to safe location where patient could be
loaded into the aircraft. Patient then transported
to Brackenridge Trauma Center with critical injuries. |
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| May 05 |
STAR Flight
assists in search for possible suicide near Pennybacker
Bridge in Austin. Subject found deceased. |
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| May 28 |
Person falls approximately
40-50 feet onto rocks while cliff jumping in Pace Bend
Park suffering back injury. STAR Flight
medic rappelled to small ledge at patient's side,
assists in medical care and packaging of patient.
Patient and rescuer extracted by Travis County Sheriff's
boat to nearby boat ramp for flight to Brackenridge
Trauma Center with serious injuries. |
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| May 30 |
18 year old male becomes
stranded on cliff face above Guadalupe river after his
friend falls approximately 80 feet into river bed below.
A STAR Flight rescuer is short hauled to
the victims location and attaches victim to harness.
Victim and rescuer short hauled to safe location where
victim is evaluated and released without injury. |
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| Jun 13 |
STAR Flight
assists in the location of suicidal subject that had
slit wrists. With help of an Austin/Travis County
EMS ground ambulance, the patient is treated and
transported by STAR Flight to Brackenridge
Trauma Center with non-life threatening injuries. |
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| Jun 18 |
STAR Flight
requested to help locate person having allergic reaction
on trail near Lake Georgetown. STAR
Flight locates patient and provides medical
evaluation. The patient refuses air transport and
is released to Williamson County EMS paramedics. |
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| Jun 18 |
Two lost hikers are
located by STAR Flight in green belt after
calling 911 requesting help. Subjects are
evaluated and flown back to command post. |
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| Aug 09 |
STAR Flight
requested to assist in teens reported missing on Lake
Travis after dark. Aided with Night Vision
Goggles, STAR Flight crew locates three
missing teens. Rescue swimmer deployed from
aircraft. Subjects were uninjured and had run out
of gas in there Jet Ski roughly 6 miles from point last
seen. |
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| Aug 31 |
51 year old male falls
into ravine after becoming dehydrated while hiking.
STAR Flight rescuer reaches patient and
initiates medical care. Patient and rescuer short
hauled to a safe location where patient is loaded into
aircraft and flown to Brackenridge Trauma Center with
non-life threatening injuries. |
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| Sept 03 |
STAR Flight
called to assist Travis County Sheriff's deputies locate
a 7 year old boy lost in a wooded area. STAR
Flight rescuer rappels to patient's side.
Released to parent's care after found to be without
injuries. |
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Water Rescue
Missions |
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Apr 08 |
STAR Flight
responded with ground rescue crews for a reported person
that had disappeared under the water and not resurfaced
while wind surfing at Bob Wentz Park on Lake Travis.
Victim located by bystanders and brought to shore.
On STAR Flight arrival victim in cardiac
arrest with resuscitation attempts being undertaken by
Austin/Travis County EMS crews. STAR
Flight personnel assisted ground EMS crews with
resuscitation attempt but unsuccessful. |
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Apr 29 |
17 year old male becomes
exhausted while attempting to swim across Lake Travis
near Muleshoe Park and becomes exhausted. Friends
watching call 911 to report that their friend was
holding on to a fishing buoy but needed immediate
assistance. Rescue crews on boats and STAR
Flight respond to the scene. A STAR
Flight rescuer jumped into the water to assist the
struggling swimmer. The swimmer was assisted to
shore and evaluated by medical personnel. The
victim was not hurt and was eventually released.
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May 06 |
Ground crews request STAR
Flight to assist in rescuing a man stuck in the back
of his truck in a flooded low water crossing. The
rescuers on the ground are unable to reach the man and
fear that the truck may be swept away by the flood
water. A STAR
Flight rescuer is short hauled to the man. Victim is
secured to the rope along with the rescuer and lifted to
safety. Victim is uninjured and eventually
released. |
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Jul 15 |
STAR
Flight and rescue crews on the ground are called
for a 21 year old female at Pace Bend Park that had
jumped off a cliff into the water and suffered a back
injury. Patient secured and brought to shore by
and Austin/Travis County EMS Special Operations rescue
paramedic. Treated by ground and STAR
Flight crews and then transported to Brackenridge
Trauma Center with non-life threatening injuries. |
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Special note: 2006
saw at least 12 drowning on Lake Travis. |
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Fire Missions |
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Jan 17 |
Requested by Burnet County
Fire Officials to assist infighting a large grass fire.
STAR Flight used Bambi Bucket to make 15
water drops. |
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Feb 13 |
STAR Flight
assists Hays County fire fighters and Texas Forest
Service in fighting a 50 acre fire threatening
structures near town of Neiderwald in eastern Hays
County. STAR Flight's aerial
suppression efforts are joined by a Texas Forest Service
BH-412. |
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Feb 27 |
STAR Flight
crews assist Hays County firefighters stop a vegetation
fire that destroys three structures. STAR
Flight makes 30 water drops and helps stop spread of
fire. |
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Mar 08 |
Hays County firefighters
request STAR Flight to help battle fast
moving 20-30 acre fire that threatens multiple
structures. STAR Flight makes 20
water drops using Bambi Bucket and helps firefighters on
ground slow and eventually stop fire. |
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Mar 25 |
Manor Fire Department
officials request STAR Flight to assist in
fighting 15 acre fire in eastern Travis County.
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Apr 09 |
STAR Flight
requested to assist Williamson County firefighters fight
30 acre fire in difficult terrain north of Thrall.
STAR Flight makes approximately 25 bucket
drops to stop spread of fire in heavy brush and trees.
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May 19 |
Blanco County fire
officials call STAR Flight to help fight a
fire in remote country. Two hikers are missing in
area and feared to be injured. Hikers not located,
but STAR Flight assists in suppression
efforts by making nearly 30 bucket drops on fire that
grew to about 100 acres and threatened several
structures. This was the first fire that our
new EC-145 with
it's larger bucket capacity was utilized on. |
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Aug 03 |
STAR Flight
helps firefighters in eastern Travis County fight a 35
acre fire that is threatening several structures.
Fire is contained without loss of any structures. |
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Sep 10 |
STAR Flight
crews help firefighters in southeast Travis County by
making water drops on a 25 acre fire moving through
grass and light fuels. Fire is contained and
extinguished through a coordinated attack. |
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Nov 15 |
STAR Flight
assists Hays County fire officials fight 900 acre fire
near town of Driftwood. The fire threatened a
number of structures, though none were lost.
STAR Flight was joined by
Texas National Guard
Blackhawks. This large wildfire takes crews 2 days
to contain and involves agencies from several counties
and Texas Forest Service. |
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Table
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