Oregon firefighters answer call to help fight 'biblical' southern California wildfires
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – As southern California continues to be ravaged by several wildfires in early January, firefighters in Oregon are looking for ways to help.
On Wednesday morning, the Oregon State Fire Marshal began mobilizing 12 strike teams made up of 240 firefighters and 60 engines to aid fire crews in California, which has seen more than 1,000 destroyed structures and at least two deaths.
This week, California requested Oregon’s assistance through the Oregon Department of Emergency Management and the Emergency Management Assistance Compact.
The fires, including the Eaton Fire, the Palisades Fire, and the Hurst Fire, started Tuesday. A fourth, the Woodley Fire, broke out Wednesday morning.
They are expected to continue due to ongoing 60 mph winds as thousands of residents evacuate the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
Oregon’s teams are coming from Clackamas, Clatsop, Central Oregon, Lane, Lincoln, Linn/Polk, two from Marion, Multnomah, Rogue Valley, Washington, and Yamhill counties.
Team leaders stressed the importance of safety, describing these fires as "biblical.”
Jason Kelly, a task force leader with Multnomah County, said the following days will “likely be the most intense wildland deployment that you get in your career."
Lt. Ryan Stenhouse with Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue added, “It looks pretty horrific down there right now."
With gear packed, local fire crews have embarked on a two-day trek through the snowy Siskiyou Pass straight to the devastating wildfires in the greater Los Angeles area.
Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said Oregon and California have a strong working relationship with 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,” 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 Multnomah and Washington county task forces said they expect to face several challenges.
"We're going to be challenged with some light, flashy fuels, winds that we don't see up here too often — sustained winds and 100 miles an hour in some areas down there,” Stenhouse said. “So, it is going to be pretty treacherous conditions for us."
Another challenge is determining what can and cannot be salvaged, according to Rick Graves of Portland Fire and Rescue.
"It's a difficult situation for people to move from a structure on fire but you have to accept there's nothing we can do about that, let's put our resources toward something we can possibly save,” Graves said.
The Oregon Department of Forestry also filled an order to send 70 firefighters in six strike teams and other overhead positions. ODF's Deputy Director of Fire Operations Kyle Williams said their firefighters can be sent to help other places in need of them when wildfire activity is low in their home state.
"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," Williams said.
The firefighters will spend a two-week rotation in California, which Fire Protection Division Chief Chris Cline said will return the favor to those who sent resources to support Oregon during its wildfire season last summer.
"We understand how difficult it can be to need help so desperately," Cline said. "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."
In response to the devastation in California, the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland is collecting donations for relief efforts, with 100% of funds going to communities in need.