Douglas Forest Protective Association Firefighters Among Oregon Crews Sent to Help North Carolina Wildfire Response

Firefighters from the Douglas Forest Protective Association (DFPA) are part of an Oregon deployment sent east to support wildfire operations in North Carolina.

The Oregon Department of Forestry said 21 firefighters and an agency representative were mobilized over the weekend through interstate mutual aid agreements that allow fire agencies to share personnel and resources when conditions allow.

The crews reached Charlotte on Sunday night and traveled to Asheville on Monday, where they were scheduled to receive assignments from North Carolina fire officials and join active operations.

ODF said the deployment includes personnel from DFPA, the Coos Forest Protective Association and several ODF protection districts, including South Cascade, Western Lane and Southwest Oregon.

State officials say agreements such as the Northwest Compact and other mutual aid partnerships help strengthen wildfire response by allowing agencies to support one another during busy parts of the fire season.

ODF Deputy Chief of Operations Ron Graham said those partnerships help maintain a coordinated fire protection system while also giving Oregon access to reciprocal support when fire conditions intensify here at home.

North Carolina’s wildfire season typically ramps up earlier in the year than Oregon’s, making the partnership useful for both states. ODF said Oregon firefighters are able to assist elsewhere when fire danger here remains low enough to keep adequate staffing in place.

The assignment is expected to last about two weeks. ODF said out-of-state deployments also give firefighters a chance to sharpen skills, gain experience in different fire environments and strengthen working relationships with partner agencies.

State officials emphasized that Oregon does not send resources away unless fire coverage at home remains sufficient. ODF said its primary responsibility remains protecting communities and responding to fires within Oregon.

The agency noted that resource sharing works both ways. During severe fire activity in 2025, Oregon received help from firefighters and equipment sent from roughly 17 states, provinces and territories.