Medford, OR – As Los Angeles County grapples with four fast-moving wildfires, Oregon’s fire response teams are mobilizing to provide crucial support. The dangerous fire conditions, exacerbated by 60-mile-per-hour wind gusts, prompted California to request assistance from neighboring states, including Oregon.
The Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office (OSFM) has deployed 15 strike teams from across the state to aid in Southern California, including teams from Jackson County. Local agencies, such as Jackson County Fire District Three, Medford Fire Department, and Ashland Fire and Rescue (AFR), have sent personnel and equipment to assist with firefighting efforts. AFR, in particular, is dispatching type three engines, which are specialized for tackling urban fires in areas with narrow roads and long driveways.
“Our job is to help protect the community and infrastructure while working to gain control over the fires,” said AFR Battalion Chief Todd Stubbs. He noted that over the years, there has been a strong collaborative relationship between Oregon and California fire agencies. Stubbs added that California often sends task forces to Oregon during fire season, so when the opportunity arises to return the favor, they are eager to assist.
The strike teams from Oregon consist of 240 firefighters and 60 engines, with an additional six strike teams, totaling 70 firefighters, from the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF). All teams will be reimbursed by the state of California for their assistance.
Firefighters are heading into a perilous situation, as the fires continue to rage and winds forecast to remain high. The teams will work tirelessly to protect lives, homes, and infrastructure, while aiming to gain control of the rapidly spreading fires.
The fires in Los Angeles County have caused hazardous air quality and prompted widespread evacuations. Among those with deep ties to both regions is Ken Ogden, a Medford architect with a home in Los Angeles. Ogden, who was forced to evacuate his home near the Eaton fire, described the scene as “apocalyptic.” He and his husband were able to evacuate before mandatory orders were issued, though they still faced significant challenges in escaping the area, including detours due to road closures.
Ogden likened the experience to the 2020 Almeda Fire that devastated parts of the Rogue Valley. “Having lived through the Phoenix fires from the vantage points of the East Medford hillsides, watching it invoked kind of a PTSD experience for us,” Ogden shared. “The L.A. basin is like a warzone.”
For now, Ogden and his partner are safe in a hotel near Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). However, as wildfires continue to burn and threaten lives and property in California, the situation remains dire for many in the region. Oregon’s fire teams will continue their efforts in hopes of helping contain the fires and provide relief to those in need.