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Published on January 10, 2025
Oregon Wildfire Teams Deploy to Southern California, Joining Forces Against Rising Palisades FireSource: Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs

Oregon's wildfire response teams have touched down in Southern California, as they gear up to tackle the blazes threatening the region, particularly the menacing Palisades Fire. After a key safety check in Sacramento with CAL Fire -- a move to guarantee the readiness of their equipment -- these 300 fire personnel and their 75 engines are now on the front lines. In a statement reported by the Oregon Newsroom, Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple expressed pride, "I am honored to work alongside the Oregon fire service who raised their hands to say they will go without question. This shows their commitment to jump into action no matter what, embodying the Oregon spirit."

The strike teams, which number 15 total and originate from Oregon, safely arrived Thursday and by Friday morning the teams wasted no time as they dove straight into the heart of the firefighting efforts; working to protect homes, scout for hotspots, and collaborate with the existing forces of CAL Fire along with other state and federal counterparts, they'll be on a 14-day assignment max, the deployment echoes the large-scale one seen in the 2017 Santa Rosa and Napa responses. As per the Oregon Newsroom, "Our Oregon strike teams are motivated, committed to what they do, and excited to get out to the line and help where they are needed," OSFM Agency Administrator Ian Yocum said, illustrating the high morale and dedication these firefighters bring to the fore.

With their boots firmly planted on Californian soil, the teams bring both manpower and a particular kind of camaraderie and inter-state solidarity, indispensable in facing such environmental adversities. The Oregon teams are among one of the largest external reinforcements for the California fire services, an alliance that solidifies when the flames threaten to rise higher than the state's capability to contain them. Comprehensive updates about the Palisades Fire and other active fires in the area can be sought at the CAL Fire Current Emergency Incidents webpage, for those seeking detailed information on the state's wildfire statuses.

While Oregon's firefighters join the multifaceted brigade combating the fires' relentless progression, the Oregon State Fire Marshal stays in continuous communication with their Californian counterparts, preparing for a long haul against nature's incendiary wrath. Moreover, in these kinds of large deployments, ensuring the safety and functionality of the equipment is crucial; "The vehicle safety check process was critical for our teams. With moving this amount of equipment and firefighters, safety has to be our highest priority," Yocum mentioned, as reported by the Oregon Newsroom, drawing attention to the rigorous preventive measures in place safeguarding the lives of those who put their own on the line for others.