Seven South King Fire and Rescue firefighters were deployed to the Oregon wildfires to assist with search and rescue operations as part of the Washington State Task Force-1 FEMA Urban Search and Rescue (WA-TF1).
Wildfires began consuming thousands of acres in western Oregon about a week ago and have become some of the most destructive blazes in state history, according to Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB). The Oregon fires have so far claimed the lives of at least nine people and have burned countless homes and businesses to the ground.
The deployed crew from the Federal Way and Des Moines area includes: Captain S. Smith, Lt. R. Smith, Lt. J. Nielsen, Lt. R. White, Lt. R. Anderson, D.E. T. McKenney and Battalion Chief Ryan Herrera. The Type 1 team, consisting of 70 people from Pierce and King counties and the City of Seattle Fire Department, left on Sept. 11.
Based out of the Pierce County Department of Emergency Management, this team could be deployed for up to 14 days.