California deploys firefighting taskforce to Oregon as wildfires blaze

(The Center Square) - California Gov. Gavin Newsom deployed 80 firefighters and 15 fire engines to Oregon following a request for assistance from Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek as tens of thousands of acres burn.

According to the latest Oregon state government data , there are currently 95 active fires and over 332,000 acres have burned within the last week. A combination of triple digit weather and lightning storms that brought over 1,000 lightning strikes in the past week have driven the state’s fires to critical levels.

“California understands the devastating impacts these wildfires can have on communities,” said Newsom in a statement. “We're proud to help our neighbors with firefighting resources and expertise, while maintaining a robust fleet here at home to keep Californians safe."

The California firefighters are being deployed from Alameda, Calaveras, Kern, Merced, Nevada, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Francisco and San Joaquin counties. While there are significant ongoing fires in the Golden State, including within the counties sending aid — the state’s 3,986 wildfires this year have burned over 242,000 acres — Newsom’s office says “California has sufficient firefighting capacity to respond to current and emerging wildfires, and resources can be recalled if needed.”

Two years of abundant rain have led to significant plant growth that becomes dangerous tinder during the state’s dry seasons. California is facing its worst wildfire season since 2018, when the state’s fires cost the United States economy an estimated $149 billion, according to research from University College London.