Oregon Calls in California, Washington Fire Task Forces as Wildfires Strain Statewide Resources
Seven out-of-state task forces will reinforce community protection and critical infrastructure as lightning-sparked fires stretch Oregon’s fire service capacity.
Fire Facts
Incoming Resources: Five California task forces and two Washington task forces
Total: Seven out-of-state task forces
Purpose: Community defense, structure triage and critical infrastructure protection
Washington Assignment: Rowe Creek Complex in Wheeler County
Mobilization: Emergency Management Assistance Compact
Current OSFM Commitments: Four conflagrations and one Immediate Response incident
Cause of Increased Activity: Thousands of lightning strikes sparked numerous wildfires across Oregon
A CAL FIRE vehicle is positioned near wildfire operations as a helicopter carries a water bucket above the fire area. California task forces are being sent to Oregon to support community protection and structure defense. (Photo courtesy of the Oregon State Fire Marshal)
SALEM, Ore. — Oregon is bringing in additional fire service resources from California and Washington as widespread wildfire activity places mounting pressure on crews and equipment across the state.
The Oregon State Fire Marshal announced Friday that five task forces from California and two from Washington are being mobilized to support community protection efforts, reinforce local fire departments and respond to new incidents if conditions worsen.
The request follows a round of thunderstorms that produced thousands of lightning strikes across the region and ignited numerous wildfires. With Oregon resources already committed to several large incidents, the incoming task forces will give fire managers additional capacity during a period of extreme fire conditions.
“The Oregon fire service is doing extraordinary work across the state, but the number of active incidents is placing a significant demand on the system,” State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said. “Bringing in resources from other states is a common practice that supports the entire wildfire response system.”
“Oregon, California and Washington have a long history of helping one another during emergencies. Oregon firefighters supported California communities in 2025 during the Los Angeles wildfires, and we are grateful that our neighboring states are able to answer Oregon’s request for help.”
The California task forces will be assigned based on incident priorities. Their missions may include structure protection, community defense, structure triage and protection of critical infrastructure.
The two Washington task forces are already working with Oregon crews on the Rowe Creek Complex in Wheeler County.
The resources were requested through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact in coordination with the Oregon Department of Emergency Management. The compact allows states to share personnel, equipment and other support during disasters and large-scale emergencies.
The Oregon State Fire Marshal emphasized that the incoming resources will focus primarily on supporting local fire service capacity and protecting communities. Wildland suppression operations will continue to be managed by the Oregon Department of Forestry, tribal agencies and federal partners within their respective jurisdictions.
“Oregon, California and Washington have a long history of helping one another during emergencies,” Ruiz-Temple said. “Oregon firefighters supported California communities in 2025 during the Los Angeles wildfires, and we are grateful that our neighboring states are able to answer Oregon’s request for help.”
As of Friday afternoon, the Oregon State Fire Marshal had resources assigned to four declared conflagrations and one Immediate Response incident.
The additional crews will remain available to support existing fires and respond to new incidents as Oregon moves through a period of heightened wildfire activity.
Cover image: Fire officials review a wildfire operations map as crews coordinate resources during an active incident in Oregon. (Photo courtesy of the Oregon State Fire Marshal)
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