January 11, 2025 8:00 a.m.  

On Thursday the Douglas Forest Protective Association sent 14 wildland firefighters of various skill sets to join a contingent of strike teams with the Oregon Department of Forestry to assist with firefighting efforts in response to the wildfires affecting southern California.

DFPA Public Information Officer Rachel Pope said their crews will engage in firefighting operations in various locations during a 14-day rotational assignment.

Pope said by utilizing grant funding and cooperative work agreements during the winter months, DFPA can employ highly trained personnel outside the standard fire season, primarily focusing on fire prevention and fuel mitigation work. Pope said this strategy ensures that DFPA is prepared to provide critical resources during emergencies, no matter the time of year.

Pope said the Douglas District is no stranger to larger fires and has relied on the help of California resources on multiple occasions. Helping fellow firefighters in a time of need is not a returned favor, according to Pope. Instead, it is what DPFA does as part of its mission to provide the highest level of service to safeguard life, resources and property from wildland fire through practical prevention and aggressive fire suppression.