Billings runway to be closed 3 days a week this summer

The main runway at Billings Logan International Airport will be closed three days a week during a six-week period this summer. While the runway is being rehabilitated it will be closed Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from July 12 through August 18. This will have an effect on the operations of large air tankers in the area.

Chuck Bushey, a former President of the International Association of Wildland Fire, talked to a BLM tanker base manager at Billings. Chuck sent us this information:

[The base manager said] they would be using SEATS and helicopters based at other nearby locations with mobile bases (Laurel, Miles City, Cody, etc.) as they do every year, and that large air tankers (LAT’s) would probably go to West Yellowstone or Rapid City. That leaves a big gap in LAT coverage for eastern MT and northern WY, including eastern Yellowstone National Park. [Billings] airport was very busy last season with LAT’s including the former Eisenhower Air Force 1 now owned by a Canadian company. I think for a while we had four LAT’s plus SEATS and helicopters flying out of here. Reminded me of being in Missoula!

Thought it was interesting and wondered how many other LAT airports this could impact – if any. Not a problem if we only have fires Monday–Thursday!

More information is available in a press release from the Billings airport.

Thanks Chuck.

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One thought on “Billings runway to be closed 3 days a week this summer”

  1. Seat bases in the big horn basin of Wyoming are Greybull (permanent, ICL placed tanks over the winter), Worland (temporary), and a portable mix plant (built by BLM September 2012)

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