New York Army National Guard crews on Monday practiced filling so-called Bambi Buckets with water to simulate wildfire fights.
The noon to 4 p.m. exercise was based at Colonie Town Park on North Schermerhorn Road. Helicopter crews skimmed the river’s surface to fill Bambi Buckets with 660 gallons of water — with a weight of nearly 2.8 tons — and then dropped the payload back into the river.
It simulates the state’s Division of Military and Naval Affairs Office’s efforts to fight outdoor fires.
The Division of Military and Naval Affairs said the helicopter crews drilled between the Twin Bridges and Route 9. If necessary, additional sessions will be held on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
The operation requires annual training for both the pilots and the ground crews that hook up the collapsible and orange, 260-pound buckets, the agency said.
Forest rangers from the state Department of Environmental Conservation also take part. Rangers often direct helicopter crews to their fiery targets.
