Local firefighters deployed to California
File photo
Selkirk Fire Rescue & EMS and Northside Fire District collaborated Thursday to send a crewed fire engine to Southern California to fight wildfires.
The deployment is part of an Idaho-wide support effort that has mobilized 25 fire engines and 104 firefighters in response to a request from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.
Crews will help California units fight several wildfires that ignited Jan. 7 on the outskirts of Los Angeles. Together, the uncontained fires have burned about 40 square miles of land, destroyed more than 6,000 structures and resulted in at least five fatalities.
According to a Selkirk Fire Rescue & EMS Facebook post, Chief Jeff Armstrong evaluated the request for support and ensured local fire coverage would remain intact before selecting a crew for the task.
In addition to the crew from Bonner County, North Idaho’s Timberlake Fire Protection District, Northern Lakes FPD, Timberlake Fire and Rescue, Paradise Valley Fire and Rescue, Kootenai County Fire and Rescue, Shoshone County FD #2 and Worley FPD have contributed resources to the deployment.
Idaho’s firefighters are expected to reach Southern California on Friday. All agencies that are contributing personnel and equipment will be reimbursed.
“Emergencies like these remind us of the critical importance of teamwork and mutual aid,” said Idaho Fire Chiefs Association President Kirk Carpenter. “Idaho firefighters are prepared to join the fight in California, standing shoulder to shoulder with our partners to protect communities in harm’s way.”