COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho — Firefighters from multiple North Idaho fire departments were dispatched Thursday morning to help battle the devastating wildfires in Southern California.
“It’s absolutely devastating what’s happening down there,” said Northern Lakes Fire District Deputy Fire Marshal Chris Larson.
Firefighters from the Northern Lakes Fire District, Kootenai County Fire and Rescue, Shoshone, Worley and others are enroute to the Golden State.
“We’ve heard everything from doing structure protection to front line firefighting to even back-filling the stations,” said Kootenai County deputy chief of operations Pete Holley. “It’s a big tax on their communities to have all of their first responders focused on these big fires.”
KCFR says they’re joined by 29 other fire departments from around the state to help those in need. It expects its crews to arrive at the Palisades Fire on Friday.
“You just never know what the disasters are going to be, that’s inherently what a disaster is. You just have no idea what’s coming our way and someday we might be on the other end of it asking for help,” said Chief Holley.
He also said this is not only an opportunity to build up good will with fire districts across the country, but also a learning opportunity.
“It’s really beneficial to our organization and the people here because they go and get these valuable lessons that you’re not going to get anywhere else in any other situation,” said Chief Holley.
Kootenai Fire emphasizes there will be no gaps in service or coverage locally, and that crews will be reimbursed.
“It’s not going to affect our daily staffing and responses, and on top if it, the fire district, through the compact, will be reimbursed for any costs of sending units down there so it won’t be coming out of the local tax dollars,” said Chief Holley.
He said the firefighters are expected to be in California for two weeks, but could come back earlier.
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