21 Tri-Cities and Walla Walla firefighters head to California to battle deadly LA area wildfires

Twenty-one firefighters from the Tri-Cities and Walla Walla are headed to California to battle the deadly wildfires in the Los Angeles area.

The fire crew and five fire engines from Southeast Washington are being sent by the region in response to requests from California to states in the West via the Emergency Management Assistance Compact.

The delegation includes Benton County Fire Districts 1 and 4, Pasco Fire Department, Walla Walla County Fire Districts 4 and 5 and Walla Walla Fire Department.

Pasco sent Fire Captain Brandon Burton, who is the task force leader.

All of the Benton County District 1 firefighters volunteered for the 18-day assignment, said Jenna Roberts, the district’s public information officer. They were scheduled to leave Thursday morning.

Benton County’s fire engine would be used to protect homes and businesses, she said. The firefighters won’t know what they’ll be assigned to do until they arrive in California.

The fires have killed 10 people, destroyed thousands buildings, including homes and businesses, the Los Angeles Times reported.

By Thursday afternoon, five fires had burned thousands of acres in and around Los Angeles, forcing at least 130,000 to be evacuated.

Washington’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, including the Southeast Washington team.

The state’s Department of Natural Resources also is sending two strike teams with 10 engines and about 35 fire crew members.

This story was originally published January 9, 2025 at 12:00 AM.