C.O. strike teams protect communities as Calif. fires rage

The Northern California wildfires have destroyed thousands of homes and communities, killing more than 30 people. The Oregon state fire marshal has deployed 10 strike teams to help in the firefight.

Five strike teams including the Bend, Sunriver and Sisters-Camp Sherman fire agencies were quickly assigned to the Southern LNU Complex Fire, which is burning in Sonoma, Lake and Napa counties.

The strike teams have been protecting several homes by creating a term familiar to Central Oregonians — defensible space — while also patrolling subdivisions and putting out hot spots.

Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire Captain Jeremy Ast recalled for NewsChannel 21 opn Monday the first day on the front lines, when strike teams from Sunriver and Bend saved a ranch from getting destroyed by the wildfire.

“It’s been all over the board. We were talking to some folks that had not evacuated the area that’s been here since the fire started, and we were here to lend them a hand whatever they might need,” Ast said.

Bend Fire CaptainTrisha Connolly said the community has been very supportive.

“We’ve been going through the neighborhoods. We’ve been talking to the communities. The outpouring of gratitude has been enormous,” she said. “This was really difficult, obviously for the community and for the neighborhoods that were threatened by the fire. It’s been great for us to go out and talk with them and help them in any way we can, which is what we’ve been doing.”

The five strike teams don’t have a timeline on when they’ll return, but expect they’ll be there for another week.