August 15, 2023 9:30 a.m. 

California has sent five strike teams to Oregon to provide additional capacity as the state deals with a continued forecast of triple-digit-temperatures, extreme fire danger and potential lightning.

An Oregon State Fire Marshal release said the strike teams were able to mobilize after OSFM made the request Monday through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact and the Oregon Department of Emergency Management. The strike teams are being pre-positioned in the Willamette Valley to be available to support existing wildfires or any new fire starts that break out.

Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said, “With several fires burning on the west slope of the Cascades and the fire danger increasing by the hour, our agency has decided to take the proactive step to bring in additional capacity to support the Oregon fire service”.

The OSFM currently has eleven task forces mobilized to two fires in Lane County, the Lookout Fire and the Bedrock Fire. Firefighters from Douglas County Fire District No. 2, Roseburg Fire Department, Riddle Fire Protection District, and North Douglas County Fire and EMS are among those that have mobilized to Lane County from other areas in Oregon.

The release said over the next week, Oregonians and visitors should remain vigilant as the threat of wildfire is exceptionally high. OSFM is urging everyone to be wildfire aware and practice wildfire prevention to avoid sparking additional wildfires.