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Oregon Sends Additional Firefighting Teams To California News By Diane Megaw On Jan 12, 2025 Oregon State Fire Marshal Photo Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) indicated yesterday that six additional strike teams of water tenders are going to Southern California. More Oregon Firefighting Teams Head To California Thirty water tenders and 70 firefighters are from Clackamas, Columbia, Coos, Curry, Douglas, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Multnomah, and Umatilla counties. These are in addition to the 15 Oregon firefighting teams sent to Los Angeles, which have already started work on the Palisades Fire . A standard response tool to wildfires, a water tender is a specialized truck designed to carry and deliver significant amounts of water. Some of the Oregon water tenders headed for California are new tactical tenders delivered to local fire agencies through the OSFM Engine Program last year. The Oregon Department of Emergency Management and the Emergency Management Assistance Compact facilitated the request for assistance. The compact provides help during governor-declared emergencies or disasters, and states can send personnel, equipment, and supplies to support response and recovery efforts in other states. The additional teams, which will also be reimbursed directly by California, will leave on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. Before receiving assignments from CAL Fire, they will undergo a routine safety check to ensure the safety of first responders. During emergencies, the OSFM mobilizes the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System, which comprises over 300 local structural fire agencies across Oregon to protect people, property, and critical infrastructure. Southern California expects dangerous fire conditions into next week, and the OSFM mobilized 370 firefighters, 21 strike teams, 75 fire engines, and 30 water tenders. Visit CAL Fire’s Current Emergency Incidents webpage for more information on the Southern California fires. Wildfire Share Twitter Facebook ReddIt WhatsApp Pinterest Email