Most Oregon Firefighters Conclude Historic Deployment to Southern California

Salem, Oregon- After a two-week mobilization to assist with wildfire containment efforts in Southern California, 17 of Oregon’s 21 strike teams are beginning their return home. The teams started demobilizing Thursday morning, with two strike teams beginning their drive to Oregon the same day and the remaining 15 scheduled to leave on Friday.

The strike teams were deployed to combat the Palisades and Eaton fires near Los Angeles, working the fire lines and supporting communities impacted by the disasters. In total, the Oregon State Fire Marshal coordinated the mobilization of 21 strike teams, which included 370 firefighters, 105 fire engines, and water tenders. This marked the largest out-of-state deployment in the history of the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s office.

“I am immensely proud of the work firefighters from the Oregon fire service and the Oregon Department of Forestry have done over the last two weeks in California,” said Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple. “Their dedication and professionalism have made a meaningful difference for the communities affected by these devastating fires. The willingness of our firefighters to step up and provide critical aid, often in challenging and dangerous conditions, is a testament to the strength and resilience of Oregon’s fire service.”

Four Oregon strike teams remain in California. Two are assigned to the Eaton Fire, while the other two are on standby to assist with any new fire outbreaks. No timeline has been set for their return.

The deployment of the Oregon teams was facilitated through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), a framework that enables states to provide resources and personnel to support emergency response and recovery efforts during governor-declared disasters. Expenses for the Oregon teams will be reimbursed by California under the compact.

This historic deployment underscores the critical role of interstate cooperation in managing large-scale emergencies. Oregon firefighters provided essential support to communities in crisis while demonstrating their expertise and readiness to respond to significant challenges beyond state borders.