Firefighters from Oregon have been deployed to assist crews in North Carolina as part of an ongoing interstate wildfire support effort.
The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) confirmed that 21 firefighters, along with an agency representative, were sent over the weekend through established mutual aid agreements. The teams arrived in Charlotte before traveling to Asheville, where they received operational briefings and were quickly integrated into active fire response efforts.
The deployed personnel include members from several agencies, such as the Douglas Forest Protective Association and the Coos Forest Protective Association, along with crews from multiple ODF protection districts including South Cascade, Western Lane, and Southwest Oregon.
Officials say the collaboration highlights a long-standing partnership between Oregon and North Carolina. Because wildfire seasons peak at different times in each state, resources can be shared efficiently when one region faces increased fire activity while the other experiences lower risk.
“These partnerships allow us to support each other when it matters most,” said Ron Graham, Deputy Chief of Operations for ODF’s Protection Division, noting that North Carolina has previously provided assistance to Oregon during severe wildfire seasons.
The deployment is part of broader agreements such as the Northwest Compact, which enable states to quickly share personnel and equipment during emergencies. These programs strengthen national wildfire response capabilities and ensure a coordinated approach to fire management.
ODF emphasized that before sending crews out of state, it ensures sufficient staffing remains in Oregon to handle any local fire incidents.
The two-week assignment also gives firefighters an opportunity to build experience, learn new techniques, and strengthen relationships with partner agencies. In recent years, Oregon has similarly received support from multiple states when wildfires exceeded local response capacity.
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