Sixty-six members of the Montana Air National Guard have been activated to fight wildfires in Montana.

The activation is expected to last up to 15 days.

Guardsmen reported to the 120th Airlift Wing in Great Falls for initial training and safety briefings on Wednesday and were transported to Fort Harrison for wildland firefighting training from the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.

Guardsmen will learn fire suppression, detection and prevention skills. Once training, they are scheduled to be dispatched to fires burning in the state.

“We are proud Montanans and there is no hesitation when we are called to fight fires in our state,” said 120th Installation Deployment Officer Capt. Elizabeth Hewett. “No matter the scope of the emergency or situation, the 120th Airlift Wing will be there to execute the mission we are called upon to do.”