Astoria, OR – The Oregon State Fire Marshal has mobilized three additional structural strike teams to assist with the ongoing wildfires in Southern California. These teams, composed of firefighters from Benton/Columbia, Douglas, and Polk counties, will join the 12 teams sent earlier this week, bringing the total number of Oregon strike teams deployed to 15. This represents a force of 300 firefighters and 75 engines now working in 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,” said Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple. “We are in constant contact with our partners in California to assess the resources they need to respond to this historic event.”
The strike teams were mobilized in response to a formal request from the Oregon Department of Emergency Management and the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), a mutual aid agreement that allows states to share personnel, equipment, and resources during disasters. Under the EMAC, the strike teams will be reimbursed directly by California for their services.
In total, the Oregon teams will be assisting California firefighters with battling the increasingly destructive fires that have plagued the region. As of now, local authorities and fire departments have been working together to combat the flames while also prioritizing the safety of residents in affected areas.
Those seeking more information about the fires are encouraged to follow updates from CAL Fire, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, or Los Angeles County’s official channels.
This effort is part of a broader response to the historic fires that have overwhelmed local firefighting resources in Southern California, demonstrating the cooperative spirit of emergency management between states in times of need.
