Video Footage Shows California Highway Patrol Helicopter Crew Rescue Injured U.S. National Guard Members Fighting Wildfire

BUTTE COUNTY, California -- Newly released video footage shows a California Highway Patrol helicopter crew rescue four injured U.S. National Guard members inside firelines this weekend.

Officials said that the crew had been assisting in fighting the Bear Fire Sunday afternoon when they couldn’t get out on their own, according to KOVR-TV.

The camera mounted on the CHP - Valley Division Air Operations helicopter captured the view over the smoky wilderness in and around the burning wildfire. Currently, there are more than 600 National Guard members assigned to the California wildfires working under the supervision of Cal Fire. Officials said that the crew was carrying hand tools and cutting fire breaks in a remote area when they got injured and stuck.

CHP Flight Officer Matt Calcutt, who was the paramedic on board the helicopter, said that the conditions made the rescue difficult.

"The complexity of this particular rescue is that it was in steep rugged terrain, and it’s also in the fire line," he told the news station. "So there’s all sorts of consideration we have to take in during the call. I can’t even begin to describe the conditions that they’re working in. It’s so extreme."

The four U.S. National Guard members were treated for injuries to their legs and heat exhaustion and have all since been released from the hospital.