A crew from the Sandy City Fire Department left for Oregon on Wednesday, July 29, joining hundreds of firefighters from across Utah tasked with protecting communities threatened by wildfires burning across the state.
The Sandy crew is part of two Utah task forces, comprising 13 local fire agencies, deployed to provide structural protection for Oregon neighborhoods near active fire zones. The 14-day assignment means the firefighters are expected back around Wednesday, August 12, though the Utah Department of Public Safety can recall them sooner if wildfires ignite closer to home.
Oregon's Department of State Fire Marshal requested up to three Type III or IV Engine task forces from Utah. The state sent two. The request came through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, a congressionally ratified agreement that lets states share firefighting resources during governor-declared emergencies. Under EMAC, Oregon reimburses Utah's costs, and deployed crews keep their home-state workers' compensation and liability protections.
The need is urgent.
As of Monday, July 27, the Fox Fire near the Oregon-Idaho state line had scorched nearly 72 square miles with 0% containment, according to ABC4 Utah. The blaze forced Level 3 "Go Now" evacuation orders for Huntington, a town of roughly 500 people, and closed 70 miles of Interstate 84 between Baker City and Ontario. As of Wednesday, July 29, the Oregon Department of Forestry reported 12,000 firefighters battling 34 fires statewide, mostly on the eastern side.
Sandy's department, led by Fire Chief Ryan McConaghie, operates five stations across the city. The department posted photos of the departing crew and equipment on social media, writing that it appreciates the firefighters' dedication and willingness to help, and asking the community to wish them a safe deployment.
This isn't the first time Sandy firefighters have answered a mutual-aid call. In September 2020, three department members deployed to California as part of a Utah Wildfire Strike Team.
Other Utah agencies on this deployment include crews from Draper, South Jordan, Salt Lake City, Park City, Orem, Layton, West Valley City, Syracuse, Moab Valley, North Tooele, Utah County, and Unified Fire Authority. West Valley City specified it is sending three firefighters to Bend, Oregon. Sandy's specific assignment location in Oregon has not been disclosed.
The Utah Department of Public Safety retains authority to recall both task forces early if wildfires break out in Utah.
