A strike team from Multnomah County left for California Tuesday morning, to help as crews continue to battle devastating wildfires.
The five Type 1 engines for the strike team will consist of one Gresham Fire engine, one Port of Portland (Airport) Fire engine, three Portland Fire engines and a Chief Officer.
Gresham Fire Battalion Chief Jason McGowan said the team doesn’t know what their mission is, just yet, but will be ready to do whatever is asked. He thinks Gresham firefighters might assist in protecting homes and businesses.
“It is devastating, I think that’s the best word to use to describe it,” said Chief McGowan. “It feels good to be able to help. It’s a huge response. I’ve been here 25 years and we've never gone any further than Leavenworth, Washington. We went about 20 years ago. Other than that we've never gone this far. So that says a lot about the devastation we are seeing, especially in 3 to 4 days.”