The crews of the ODF fire engine strike team assigned to New Mexico June 4 to assist on wildfires burning there have arrived. The team, consisting of 10 ODF and three Coos Forest Protective Association personnel, flew down, while their five fire engines are being trucked to a staging area near Albuquerque. One engine has arrived and the rest are expected this morning.
ODF and other western states routinely share firefighting resources as needed. This is an opportune time for the department to send the strike teams, as fire activity in Oregon is currently moderate. And the arrangement is reciprocal: If ODF needs outside help on fires in Oregon, its partner agencies will provide personnel and equipment when possible.
While in New Mexico, the crews will be paid by the jurisdictional agency on the fires. ODF considers the out-of-state deployment a valuable opportunity for its firefighters to maintain and develop their skills required for national certification.