NORTH DAKOTA (KXNET) — After a hectic week fighting thousands of acres of wildfires in western North Dakota, several North Dakota National Guard soldiers are now getting a break. On Friday, the North Dakota National Guard public affairs office told KX News that the hand crew is still on the ground helping to contain the Bear Den fire on the Fort Berthold reservation. They said some soldiers and airmen are rotating out on Friday, and others will replace them. This map shows and tracks all the active North Dakota wildfires For the past week, helicopter crews have been flying water drop missions to help contain the Bear Den and the Elkhorn fires in western North Dakota. "Earlier this year, we were dropping water on a frozen river, now we're putting water buckets on the largest fire North Dakota's ever seen," U.S. Army staff sergeant Leif Anderson said. "I will definitely remember this time in my career, and I'm sure my family members and friends will have questions as to what I did and my kids even asked me 'What's Daddy doing right now? Well, he's fighting the big fire,' so, I think it'll be a bookmark in North Dakota history for sure." Aircrews said they're on standby in Bismarck. Blackhawk crews can take off and provide more aid as requested over the weekend as weather conditions may change. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Today's Top Stories SIGN UP NOW