The California wildfires, now approaching 65,000 acres in size, are getting needed relief from Benton County and Oregon.

Fire strike teams, including one from Benton County, is headed to California to assist in fighting the wildfire that is currently crushing the state.

Take a look at the video I've included, it looks like a scene from a movie...

The Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal said the Emergency Management Assistance Compac activated its Agency Operations Center and 10 strike teams with equipment and personnel who are en-route to assist with the latest wildfires in California.

"Oregon fire agencies have again answered the call and we are honored to assist our neighbors for the second time this year, said Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple. "California helped us with the fires in southern Oregon this year, we assisted them in October and I am proud that we can again assist them in their time of need."

California made the request through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact a national state-to-state mutual aid system. The EMAC request is sent directly to Oregon Emergency Management who contact and coordinate with the appropriate Oregon agency to fulfill the requests.

Oregon county fire defense board chiefs have activated 10 strike teams that are enroute from the following counties: Lane, Multnomah, Washington, Linn, Marion, Clackamas, Klamath, Yamhill, a combined team from Polk, Linn, and Benton counties, and a team from the Rogue Valley area.

Five additional strike teams are being ordered and will be enroute later today.

 

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