Next week, dozens of wildland firefighters and helicopter pilots will arrive in Bend for the U.S. Forest Service’s annual rappeller certification event.

The April 15-20 event will feature up to seven helicopters hovering in the air west of Forest Road 41 and south of Cascade Lakes Highway. Additional days may be needed if weather impacts helicopter operations.

The heavy helicopter activity will occur between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., including weekends. The Forest Service issued an advisory about the event to prepare the public for the unusual sight of multiple helicopters traversing the skies over Bend.

While no trail or road closures are anticipated, individuals recreating along Forest Road 41 and adjacent trails should adhere to any posted signs and avoid closed areas.

The national rappel event will provide annual recertifications for 20 spotters and 70 veteran rappellers. This is the second-straight year the Forest Service hosted a rappeller certification event in the Deschutes National Forest.

Rappellers are aerial-delivered wildland firefighters who rappel out of helicopters to fight wildfires that are often in remote, difficult-to-reach locations.