13 Oregon Department of Forestry firefighters home from helping in North Carolina’s hurricane recovery efforts

(Update: Adding video, interview with ODF firefighter)

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Oregon Department of Forestry says it's excited to welcome home 13 firefighters after a two-week deployment in North Carolina to assist in Hurricane Helene recovery efforts.

The crew supported the North Carolina Forest Service in state forest clean-up, wildfire initial attack and other assignments. To date, they accomplished over 55 miles of clearing roads and trails, averaging about three to five miles a day.  

“It was an honor and a privilege to work with such an outstanding group of individuals,” said Dave Larson, ODF’s Agency Representative for the assignment and Southern Oregon Area Director.  

The crew was mobilized on October 9 to North Carolina with a simple instruction: to help wherever needed. Upon landing, they almost immediately saw the level of devastation and were aware that they would be just a small piece in the larger picture when it comes to recovery in the state.

The inspiring outpouring of support for North Carolina helped to fuel ODF firefighters on their mission. They worked so hard clearing roads and trails that, within the first week, they ahead of schedule and able to be reassigned to other efforts like wildfire initial attack.  

“The crew was incredibly hard working and true professionals that reflect ODF and our protection association partners’ culture and values of dedication to public service, which is ‘Whatever it takes’,” Larson said.  

Sending our firefighters on these out-of-state deployments helps them build relationships outside of our organization and allows the Oregon Department of Forestry to return the favor to our interstate partners. At the peak of Oregon’s fire season, North Carolina was one of 20 states that sent much needed wildland fire personnel to help.  

This is all done through mutual assistance agreements with other states, including Alaska and NW Canadian territories, creating a cache of reciprocal resources and a larger, comprehensive fire management system. 

Nick Case of ODF Wildland Protection said, “For us, it was just our way to give back. They came out this summer and helped us tremendously, during our fire season. And it just so happened that they had an incident in which they needed help, and we were able to provide our assistance.”

So far this year, the Oregon Department of Forestry has sent firefighters to New Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, Texas, Idaho, Minnesota and North Carolina.