Oregon sending 13-15 strike teams to N. Calif. wildfire

California has declared a state of emergency due to wildfires raging in the northern and southern parts of the state and has requested 100 strike teams from all surrounding states, 13-15 of which will be coming from Oregon, officials said Friday.

Using its emergency mobilization plan, through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, The Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal has activated its Agency Operations Center and is in the process of mobilizing 13-15 strike teams with equipment and personnel to assist with the Camp Fire that has burned at least 70,000 acres in Northern California.

“Once again, our neighbors in California are in need of support, and even though Oregon had a very long fire season, our Oregon Fire Service has stepped up humbly to help the state of California,” said State Fire Marshal Jim Walker.

The OSFM is sending structural task forces totaling 290 personnel from the following counties: Rouge Valley, Klamath, Douglas, Lane, Marion, Linn, Benton, Lincoln, Polk, Washington, Multnomah, Clatsop, Columbia, Clackamas, and Yamhill.

California made the request through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact a national state-to-state mutual aid system. The EMAC request is sent directly to Oregon Emergency Management who contact and coordinate with the appropriate Oregon agency to fulfill the requests.