The Utah Department of Public Safety and the Department of Natural Resources are deploying crews to help fight the wildfires in California. 

As of mid-January, at least 24 people had been killed as one of the most destructive fires in the history of Los Angeles burned about 42 square miles and leveled entire blocks. More than 1,000 structures have been destroyed, and at least 70,000 California residents were ordered
to evacuate. 

Thousands of California firefighters are fighting the blaze, and LA called for the assistance of off-duty and out-of-state firefighters. 

Units with Murray’s Fire Department deployed units to California to help. 

“We typically deploy for seven to 16 day tours,” said Joseph Mittelman, Murray Fire chief. “Most of the time it’s the full 16-day period.” 

Mittelman said the receiving location decides how long they need outside help and resources. For Murray City Fire Department, Mittelman said those deployed outside of Salt Lake County are off-duty crews only using equipment that isn’t normally on the front line. Mittelman said that can be equipment that’s normally used when a front-line engine needs an oil change or other maintenance. 

The California Office of Emergency Services sent an Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) to the DPS’s Division of Emergency Management (DEM), requesting strike teams and
task forces. 

EMAC is used to facilitate assistance between states during state-declared emergencies. Utah crews could be out in California for at least 14 days, with “a possibility of extension dependent on expected fire behavior and weather conditions,” a press release from DPS and DNR said. 

The Utah DPS and DNR said that if Utah’s offer for assistance is accepted, this situation would be Utah’s fourth deployment to California within about six months. 

Mittelman said the employees sent to California can adapt to new situations quickly and can begin working with other teams efficiently. 

“We know firefighters from across the country and oftentimes pull from their strengths and avoid the weaknesses as we talk and compare tactics, equipment, command and much more,” Mittelman said. “It’s truly amazing the ability for us to fall in line and achieve objectives that are laid out each morning at these fires.” 

Utah’s DEM is coordinating with other local agencies to deploy three task forces. The other departments included in the task forces include Unified Fire Authority, Draper Fire, West Jordan Fire, Sandy Fire, South Jordan Fire, West Valley City Fire and more. 

“We appreciate the help from local agencies who have assisted with this request,” the release said. λ