C.O. fire crews among 21 Oregon strike teams heading to S. California to help battle deadly, devastating wildfires
(Update: Adding video, three more structural strike teams sent; comments from task force leader)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Thirteen hours away from Los Angeles, Central Oregon fire crews are among 21 Oregon strike teams heading south to join the fight.
"We're going down with six departments - Black Butte, Redmond, Bend, Sisters-Camp Sherman and Alfalfa and Jefferson County," said Jason Ellison, Task Force Leader for Oregon State Fire Marshal Strike Team 6.
The State Fire Marshal is sending 15 strike teams of structural firefighters to Southern California and the Oregon Department of Forestry is sending six wildland firefighter strike teams after California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency amid devastating, destructive wildfires that have claimed at least five lives and destroyed many homes, also cutting power to 1.5 million residents.
Ellison says Oregon crews are giving back: "California sent resources to us to help out. And so we're happy to be able to repay them."
Winds gusting to 60 mph or higher are expected to continue in Malibu near the 5,000-acre Pacific Palisades Fire. The Eaton Fire has burned over 2,000 acres in the Altadena area.
Five Type 3 engines and 17 Central firefighters will be in Los Angeles this week, but Ellison says crews will need to prepare for a landscape they're not used to.
"This is a different topography than we have here in Central Oregon," Ellison said. "But I do think that all of us are doing research on our way down and learning what the topography looks like, kind of what the water system and the road systems (are) so that when we arrive on the scene, we're prepared to go right to the incident."
Six pieces of equipment and over 240 firefighters in total are being sent by the State Fire Marshal for relief as Los Angeles-area fire crews are understandably spread thin by the severity of numerous blazes.
Footage obtained by KTVZ from Los Angeles fire crews shows the countless neighborhoods clouded in smoke and flames, a sight Oregon crews are now headed into.
"We just hope that the communities and our departments and our families, we just think about you and we thank you for your support," Ellison said. "And really, we're going to focus on the mission down there and do our job - and we'll be home safely."
Below is the initial announcement from the Oregon State Fire Marshal:
The Oregon State Fire Marshal is mobilizing 12 strike teams to California to help protect communities threatened by wildfires burning near Los Angeles.
The Oregon State Fire Marshal has been monitoring and working with California throughout the event and received a request for assistance late Tuesday evening. As of midnight, the department has 12 strike teams made up of 240 firefighters and 60 engines that will be mobilizing later this morning. The agency will continue to monitor and will fill more requests as it progresses.
The strike teams are coming from Clackamas, Clatsop, Central Oregon, Lane, Lincoln, Linn/Polk, two from Marion, Multnomah, Rogue Valley, Washington and Yamhill counties.
According to CAL FIRE, firefighters are seeing extreme fire behavior, including short and long-range spotting. Winds gusts up to 60 miles per hour are expected to continue through Thursday, increasing the dangerous situation. Firefighters and air resources will continue to work to protect the community and infrastructures and gain control over fire containment.
“Oregon and California have a strong partnership supporting each other. We both understand that fire does not recognize map lines, and we are ready to help each other whenever there is a need,” Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said. “During our historic 2024 wildfire season, California sent us help and in their time of need, we are working as fast as possible to lend them support during this emergency.”
The Oregon and California have had a strong working relationship with each other in wildfire response since 2017. We work with one goal in mind, protecting people, property, and critical infrastructure.
The request from California came through the Oregon Department of Emergency Management and the Emergency Management Assistance Compact. The compact provides help during governor-declared emergencies or disasters by allowing states to send personnel, equipment, and supplies to support response and recovery efforts in other states. The strike teams will be reimbursed directly by California.
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Below is the announcement Wednesday afternoon from the Oregon Department of Forestry:
ODF Sends 70 Firefighters To Fight California Wildfires
Oregon Dept. of Forestry - 01/08/25 3:00 PM
SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) filled an order today to send six strike teams (30 type 6 wildland engines) and other overhead positions to California to help fight the disastrous wildfires in Los Angeles. These wildfires combined with strong wind conditions in Los Angeles County have resulted in thousands evacuating and hazardous air quality.
ODF firefighters are anticipated to arrive at the incident command post tomorrow, at which point they will be briefed on the situation and then assigned where needed. The two-week rotation in California will allow our firefighters to return the favor to our California partners, who sent resources to support Oregon last summer.
Deputy Director of Fire Operations Kyle Williams said, “The Oregon Department of Forestry’s leadership in the wildland firefighting arena makes our firefighters ready for any scenario and sending that expertise to California to help our fellow firefighters in their time of need is the least we can do to support our partners.”
The 70 firefighters are being sent to California via state-to-state mutual assistance agreements with CalFire. When wildfire activity is low in Oregon, firefighters can be spared to help in places experiencing high fire activity.
“We understand how difficult it can be to need help so desperately. Especially after this past season in Oregon, where we saw an amazing outpouring of support from our out-of-state partners during Oregon’s record-breaking fire season,” said Chris Cline, ODF’s Fire Protection Division Chief.
This past summer was a record-breaking year for the state with over 1.9 million acres burned. Quickly, Oregon’s in-state resources were depleted while more fires continued to pop up. In response to our call for help, Oregon was sent resources from about 20 U.S. states and multiple Canadian provinces and territories, including California who sent 21 high-demand positions.
“These agreements help bolster the complete and coordinated fire protection system across the country and create a cache of reciprocal resources for all of us to call on when needed.” Cline explained.
Through these mutual assistance agreements with other states, including Alaska, Hawaii and NW Canadian territories, we can share resources with one another, creating a larger, faster comprehensive fire management system.
ODF's strike teams' expenses will be reimbursed by the state of California.
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The State Fire Marshal's Office sent this update late Wednesday:
Oregon State Fire Marshal Sending Three Additional Strike Teams To California
Oregon State Fire Marshal - 01/08/25 5:00 PM
SALEM, Ore – The Oregon State Fire Marshal is mobilizing three more structural strike teams to southern California from the Oregon fire service. The teams will join 12 strike teams that were sent Wednesday morning.
The strike teams are from Benton/Columbia, Douglas, and Polk counties. In total, the Oregon State Fire Marshal has sent 15 strike teams, 300 firefighters, and 75 engines to the Los Angeles area.
“Our hearts are with those impacted by these wildfires in southern California and we are doing everything we can to help,” Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said. “We are in constant contact with our partners in California to assess the resources they need to respond to this historic event.”
Those looking for information about the fires should follow the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, CAL Fire, or Los Angeles County.
This request came the Oregon Department of Emergency Management and the Emergency Management Assistance Compact. The compact provides help during governor-declared emergencies or disasters by allowing states to send personnel, equipment, and supplies to support response and recovery efforts in other states. The strike teams will be reimbursed directly by California.
