Polk County wildfire nearly 80% contained

Tennessee Guardsmen respond to Polk County wildfire

At the request of the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, the Tennessee Army National Guard is providing two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters, from Knoxville’s 1-230th Assault Helicopter Battalion, to support wildfire response in Polk County.

There is a heavy fire in the terrain in Utsund, east of Avesta. The fire risked spreading but has been contained by the fire service.

Polk County wildfire nearly 80% contained

Firefighters from various agencies are containing a 65-acre wildfire near Turtletown in Polk County, with helicopters deployed due to challenging terrain.

Guardsmen Respond to Polk County Wildfire

APRIL 16, 2025 – The Tennessee Army National Guard provided two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters from Knoxville’s 1-230th Assault Helicopter Battalion today to support a wildfire response in Polk County, at the request of the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency. The Black Hawk helicopters departed from McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base between 8:30 a.m. and 8:45 a.m., Central Daylight Time, to combat wildfires southeast of Turtletown, near the …