Oregon Firefighters in CA, Oct. 18

As firefighters slowly get the upper hand and weather improves somewhat in northern California, two Oregon Strike Teams (Marion County and Jackson Josephine counties) are being demobilized today and will head back to their home stations over the next 24 hours. More Oregon Strike Team demobilizations are in the planning stages if conditions continue to stabilize. Oregon Strike Teams in southern California will remain deployed as that area is still under a Red Flag Warning and fire officials expect hot, dry weather and significant winds. We expect Oregon resources in that area to remain at least throughout the coming weekend. Three Oregon Strike Teams (Washington County, Umatilla/Union counties, Linn/Benton counties) have been reassigned to assist with the recently growing Bear Fire in Santa Cruz. “Oregon’s deployed resources have been performing extremely well,” said Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal Marian Ruiz-Temple. “We have heard nothing but great things about our Oregon response system and the caliber of our firefighters. All Oregonians can take pride in the effectiveness and professionalism of our deployed men and women.”