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PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Oregon National Guard plans to activate more than 300 Guard members for forest fire training at three sites in Oregon so they can be used if needed to back up regular contract crews.
“We’ve seen very active fire seasons for our neighbors to the north and south, and we may face a similar situation in Oregon,” Gov. Ted Kulongoski said on Tuesday. “We have robust resources already in place, but I want to ensure we have the ability to respond with additional support if needed.”
Washington and especially California have had bigger fires this year than Oregon has. On Tuesday only a few small fires were burning in Oregon.
After certification, the Guardsmen can be deployed on 48-hour notice to wildfires if Kulongoski declares a state of emergency. They will be used primarily to strengthen firelines and support agency firefighters.
Other states may also be able to call on them through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact if not needed in Oregon. The EMAC is a formal agreement among the several states and territories for mutual support during emergencies.
National Guard resources are called to assist when all commercial resources have been exhausted.
Kulongoski said that although Oregon is having a slower fire season, the potential for fires remains.
“This training is about being fully prepared.”
Trainers in the weeklong classes will come from the Oregon Department of Forestry, U.S. Forest Service, and Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training.
Training will be at Camp Rilea near Astoria, at the Pendleton Armory in Pendleton, and at Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls.
Oregon recently provided support to California through EMAC by sending crews and a CH-47 Chinook helicopter that can deliver 2,000-gallon water drops.
The Pacific Northwest Wildfire Coordination Group, an association of federal and state fire agencies in Oregon and Washington, now has about 70 private contract crews on the ground fighting fires in California.
The U.S. Forest Service and the state of Oregon are funding the training.
“We’ve seen very active fire seasons for our neighbors to the north and south, and we may face a similar situation in Oregon,” Gov. Ted Kulongoski said on Tuesday. “We have robust resources already in place, but I want to ensure we have the ability to respond with additional support if needed.”
Washington and especially California have had bigger fires this year than Oregon has. On Tuesday only a few small fires were burning in Oregon.
After certification, the Guardsmen can be deployed on 48-hour notice to wildfires if Kulongoski declares a state of emergency. They will be used primarily to strengthen firelines and support agency firefighters.
Other states may also be able to call on them through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact if not needed in Oregon. The EMAC is a formal agreement among the several states and territories for mutual support during emergencies.
National Guard resources are called to assist when all commercial resources have been exhausted.
Kulongoski said that although Oregon is having a slower fire season, the potential for fires remains.
“This training is about being fully prepared.”
Trainers in the weeklong classes will come from the Oregon Department of Forestry, U.S. Forest Service, and Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training.
Training will be at Camp Rilea near Astoria, at the Pendleton Armory in Pendleton, and at Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls.
Oregon recently provided support to California through EMAC by sending crews and a CH-47 Chinook helicopter that can deliver 2,000-gallon water drops.
The Pacific Northwest Wildfire Coordination Group, an association of federal and state fire agencies in Oregon and Washington, now has about 70 private contract crews on the ground fighting fires in California.
The U.S. Forest Service and the state of Oregon are funding the training.
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