Oregon Department of Forestry enlists National Guard to help battle wildfires

PORTLAND, Ore. ( KOIN ) — The Oregon Department of Forestry has enlisted the help of Oregon’s National Guard amid an intense wildfire season .

On Monday morning, ODF announced that Gov. Tina Kotek’s State of Emergency Declaration allowed the agency to request assistance from four hand crews from the National Guard.

Two crews will consist of Air Guard members, while the other half will consist of Army Guard members. In total, each group will have 92 personnel — including 22 firefighters, two liaisons and two support personnel.

The forestry department had already requested two medevac helicopters and other air support from the National Guard, following Gov. Kotek’s emergency declaration.

“This year’s extreme weather has tested our limits, but our unwavering commitment to protecting Oregon’s communities and natural resources remains,” ODF Deputy Director of Fire Operations Kyle Williams said. “We are leveraging every resource available to fight the wildfires, including our partners at the Oregon National Guard.”

ORNG crews will undergo the administrative process to join State Active Duty orders on Wednesday and Thursday. Afterwards, ODF will assign the service members to fires throughout the state. The assignment is expected to last 14 days, assisting the U.S. Forest Service in battling other fires.

“The wildfire situation on the ground is dynamic and challenging, and we need all hands on deck,” Gov. Kotek said in a statement. “I want to thank the Oregon National Guard for their dedication and cooperation in fighting Oregon’s wildfires and protecting Oregon’s communities and natural resources.”

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