MEDICINE LODGE, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas National Guard has sent two helicopters to help local firefighters battle wildfires burning about 20-25 miles southwest of Medicine Lodge in Barber County.

The UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters from the Kansas National Guard's 1st Battalion, 108th Aviation out of Salina are equipped with collapsible 660-gallon water buckets, the agency said in a news release Wednesday.

The Kansas Forest Service has also deployed an air tanker to make water drops.

Gov. Laura Kelly has issued a disaster declaration for the fires.

"The efforts of firefighters on the front line of...