
In an act of interstate cooperation, Oregon firefighting teams have been dispatched to tackle the Lilac Fire raging through parts of San Diego County. According to the Oregon State Fire Marshal, Strike Team 17 from Linn County and Strike Team 18 from Clackamas County, both equipped with water tenders, have joined forces with the personnel from California to mitigate the wildfire's impact on the community.
The addition of these two teams from Oregon brings critical aid to the frontlines where mandatory evacuations have been prompted amid the aggressive spread of the Lilac Fire. In action since January 11, when six water tender strike teams were first mobilized to the region, these responders have now committed to a two-week deployment in Southern California. In the early hours, they were mobilized and became quickly engaged with the fire in an effort to support the initial attack.
Oregon State Fire Marshal Ruiz-Temple, who was present on-site over the weekend, highlighted the importance of this collaboration. She stated, "These strike teams were mobilized at 3 a.m. and quickly engaged with the fire to support the initial attack," and emphasized the seamless integration with CAL FIRE in a mission steeped in preserving life and property. Ruiz-Temple's words came during her Southern California visit, where she met with local officials, evaluated the affected zones, and interacted with the members of the Oregon teams to gather insights on their unique experiences and efforts.