After the state’s fire marshals fired off a statement categorically debunking the “news” about an alleged regulatory thwart to Oregon’s wildfire response in California, local chiefs are also sounding the siren on misinformation.
In a Jan. 12 statement posted on The Oregon State Fire Marshal’s (OSFM) Facebook page, deputy state marshals said they “want to clear up confusion” about “misinformation spreading on social media and from some news outlets.”
The statement refers to allegations that Oregon’s firefighting equipment was subjected to emissions tests and that regulatory issues prevented the state’s firefighters from assisting with California wildfires.
“To be clear: This is false,” the OSFM wrote in all caps, clarifying that the Oregon strike teams underwent a routine safety inspection conducted by CAL Fire, a standard protocol for all firefighting equipment deployed in California.
“No engine was turned away. They all completed the safety check, and all 15 strike teams arrived in Southern California” when scheduled, according to OSFM.
Andrew Smith, chief of Pleasant Hill Goshen Fire & Rescue, backed up the Fire Marshal’s statement with his team’s experience.
“The OSFM statement is correct; there is a lot of incorrect information out there about emissions … There are no emissions problems,” Smith said. “We have an engine and tender in California working. There are six personnel from our agency who went south. They had no problems passing through the inspections. This is just part of the process.”
Smith said that this process ensures that trucks are safe and ready for the crews after a long drive. “It’s good for both our agency and the state of California,” he said, adding that he anticipates his crew coming home around Jan. 25, with the tender returning shortly thereafter.
Janel Klews from the Eugene Springfield Fire chief’s office said they deployed an engine and crew on Jan. 8 to assist in the Palisades Fire, where they continue to work.
“Our crew consists of a captain, an engineer, and two firefighters working from a City of Springfield engine,” Klews said, adding that the crew’s rotation could last up to 18 days.
The ES Team also experienced the “routine processing, which includes an apparatus safety check and equipment safety check (so the crews) have what they need to meet the conflagration requirements,” Klews said, echoing Smith’s sentiments that “these requirements are to keep firefighters as safe as possible and properly equipped in a dangerous environment. They also check to ensure responders have the correct certifications needed to work the fires.”
South Lane Fire did not respond to a request for comment.
The Fire Marshal’s statement further clarified with a timeline of events:
“Our firefighters left Oregon mid-morning on Wednesday, Jan. 8, from various locations in the state. These strike teams traveled to Sacramento, where they stayed the night. On Thursday, Jan. 9, at 6 a.m., they went through a routine safety check with CAL Fire to make sure the engines were mechanically sound. CAL Fire posted on their social media channels detailing the process,” the statement detailed. This check ensures the engines are ready for the challenging conditions of wildfire response.
“Our strike teams were scheduled to arrive in Southern California on Thursday. There was no delay in the process or travel,” the statement continued. “Our equipment is held to the highest safety standard to ensure the safety of our firefighters. This equipment also does not regularly travel hundreds of miles at a time. Firefighter safety is our number one priority.”
Oregon and California have collaborated on wildfire response since 2017. This deployment is one of the most significant out-of-state responses the Oregon Fire Service has supported, similar to the 2017 response to Santa Rosa and Napa.
“(We) have a strong partnership supporting each other. We both understand that fire does not recognize map lines, and we are ready to help each other whenever there is a need,” said Mariana Ruiz-Temple, Oregon State Fire Marshal. “During our historic 2024 wildfire season, California sent us help, and in their time of need, we are working as fast as possible to support them during this emergency.”
California requested help from Oregon with these fires through the Oregon Department of Emergency Management and the Emergency Management Assistance Compact. The compact provides help during governor-declared emergencies or disasters by allowing states to send personnel, equipment, and supplies to support response and recovery efforts in other states. California will reimburse the strike teams directly.
“Our hearts are with those impacted by these wildfires in southern California, and we are doing everything we can to help,” Temple said in an earlier statement.
In a Jan. 11 news release, the Oregon State Fire Marshal announced mobilizing six additional strike teams of water tenders to Southern California. The Oregon State Fire Marshal has mobilized 21 strike teams, 75 fire engines, 30 water tenders, and 370 firefighters.
OSFM personnel were unavailable for further comment.
