Over 150 fire personnel across Washington state, including three firefighters from Lewis County Fire District 5-Napavine and three firefighters from the West Thurston Regional Fire Authority, departed for California early Thursday morning to help fight the wildfires in Southern California.
In total, 43 agencies in Washington state are providing resources to help fight five wildfires in Southern California, collectively called the Los Angeles fires or Los Angeles wildfires.
The fires had killed at least six people, forced nearly 180,000 people from their homes and destroyed at least 1,000 structures as of 4:40 p.m. on Thursday, according to reporting by CNN and NBC News.
“As wildfires ravage parts of Southern California, our thoughts are with those affected by this devastating disaster. The destruction has been immense, and the brave men and women on the front lines are putting their lives at risk to protect communities and save lives,” Gov. Jay Inslee said in an official statement included in the Washington Military Department’s news release on Thursday.
Inslee stated that he has been in touch with California Gov. Gavin Newsom and has assured him that Washington is ready to help with the crisis in whatever way it can.
“Washington state is currently pulling together resources that have been requested from California via the Emergency Management Assistance Compact,” the Washington Military Department said in a news release on Thursday, Jan. 9.
The Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) allows members across the United States to share resources. The EMAC serves as “the nation’s all hazards mutual aid system,” according to the program’s website.
“The (Washington) state’s Emergency Management Division is working with fire departments across the state to coordinate nine task forces made up of 45 engines, 11 trucks and 146 personnel,” the Washington Military Department said in the news release. “Additionally, the state’s Department of Natural Resources is sending two strike teams comprised of 10 engines and some 35 personnel members.”
District 5 and West Thurston Fire are part of the Central Region Strike Team deployed by the state Department of Natural Resources. Other members that had personnel deployed to California include the McLane Black Lake Fire Department, Central Mason Fire Department and Hoquiam Fire Department.
“We deploy multiple times each summer, but this will be the furthest that we’ve gone from home,” District 5 Interim Chief Gregg Peterson said Thursday.
District 5’s three firefighters, who departed Napavine at 8 a.m. Thursday morning with one 2,500 gallon combination engine tender, were set to arrive in Redding, California, on Thursday evening and receive their assignments during a briefing on Friday, according to Peterson.
“We’re assuming that assignment will likely be structure protection, because we’re a structure engine pulling a lot of water,” Peterson said Thursday.
The District 5 crew is expected to stay in California for 18 days, with an anticipated return date of Jan. 27.
In addition to the gratitude District 5 personnel feel for being able to help with devastating fires across the country, they gain valuable firefighting experience as part of the Central Region Strike Team, Peterson said.
“One of the things I really like about sending our crews down is they don’t get that experience around here, so they’re going to gather great experience that we can utilize should we have an event around here,” Peterson said. “Hopefully nothing of that magnitude, but we do see brush fires up here, we do see exposure to those fires, so having a crew down there that’s experienced with that work is invaluable.”
West Thurston Fire shared well wishes for its three deployed firefighters in a Facebook post Thursday morning.
“Captain Morales, Lt. Lyon and FF Davis will be joining the fight with firefighters from across the west coast,” West Thurston Fire stated. “We’ll be thinking of them and hope for a speedy return. Stay safe gentlemen!”
Inslee expressed his gratitude Thursday for the firefighters and first responders from Washington state who volunteered to help fight the fires in Southern California
“Their selflessness and commitment to helping others, regardless of state lines, is a testament to the strength of our shared values and the spirit of service that defines us,” Inslee stated Thursday. “Washington’s fire crews are some of the best around, and I have no doubt their expertise and tireless efforts will make a real difference in the lives of those affected. To all of our firefighters, their families, and their support teams — thank you for your unwavering dedication to keeping people safe. We stand with you and with the people of California during this difficult time.”
Call for Washington residents and workers to donate to Disaster Relief Center
Secretary of State Steve Hobbs issued a call Thursday for Washington residents, public employees and state retirees to help those impacted by the Los Angeles fires by donating through the Disaster Relief Center (DRC).
A special function of the Secretary of State’s Combined Fund Drive, the DRC directs those who are interested in donating to verified and registered crisis-relief charities during periods of natural or humanitarian disasters that exceed a region’s capacity to provide help.
“The DRC does not endorse any specific charity, but does share relevant and accurate information about those charities,” Hobbs’ office said in a news release on Thursday.
“When disaster strikes, I am proud of how Washington citizens and state employees rise up to support those in need,” Hobbs stated. “The Combined Fund Drive is an option for those who want to come to the financial aid of others in a reliable and secure way.”
State employees and retirees can make a one-time gift or set up a monthly payroll deduction through the Combined Fund Drive and use the charity code to designate the donation toward one of our member charities assisting in the affected area.
For more information on specific charities involved or to set up a payroll contribution, go to https://give.wa.gov/cfd/Disaster-Relief-Center.
Non-state employees can use a secure link to make a donation via credit card at this website: https://give.wa.gov/events/?2025-la-county-wildfires.
The DRC has been involved in donation outreach for Hurricane Helene in 2024, Eastern Washington and Maui wildfires in 2023, and international aid groups responding to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, according to a news release.
