Oregon Firefighters Deployed to North Carolina Under Mutual Aid Agreements

SALEM, Ore. (Mar. 23, 2026) — The Oregon Department of Forestry deployed 21 firefighters and an agency representative to North Carolina over the weekend as part of state-to-state mutual aid agreements aimed at strengthening wildfire response capabilities across the country.

The agreements, including partnerships such as the Northwest Compact, allow fire management agencies to share personnel and resources efficiently, creating a broader and more coordinated system to respond to wildfire activity.

“These agreements help bolster Oregon’s complete and coordinated fire protection system and create a cache of reciprocal resources for all of us to call on when needed,” said Ron Graham, deputy chief of operations for ODF’s Protection Division.

The crews arrived in Charlotte, North Carolina, late Sunday and traveled to Asheville on Monday for a briefing with local fire officials. They were expected to be integrated into active fire operations the same day.

The deployed teams include personnel from the Douglas Forest Protective Association, Coos Forest Protective Association, and multiple ODF protection districts, including South Cascade, Western Lane and Southwest Oregon.

Officials said Oregon is able to send firefighters out of state when local wildfire activity is low. The two-week assignment provides opportunities for crews to strengthen skills, gain new experience and maintain partnerships with other states.

“Oregon has a strong relationship with North Carolina. They regularly send resources in our time of need, and we support them when we’re able,” Graham said. “Their wildfire season is earlier in the calendar year than ours, making for an effective partnership of sharing resources.”

Before approving deployments, ODF evaluates in-state staffing levels to ensure Oregon remains prepared to respond to fires at home. The agency emphasized that protecting Oregon communities remains its top priority.

Oregon has relied on similar mutual aid in the past. During the 2025 wildfire season, the state received firefighters and equipment from about 17 states, provinces and territories when fire activity exceeded local and state response capacity.