Local firefighters to help with California wildfires

Jack Knuffke, Jared Pitcher and Jackson Corne checked hoses and engines at Evergreen Fire and Rescue on Wednesday as they prepared to head out to fight the fires ravaging Southern California.

Six firefighters from Evergreen as well as two trucks were preparing to leave Wednesday afternoon. They were joined by firefighters and engines from Marion, Whitefish and Bigfork.

According to Flathead County Fire Warden Lincoln Chute, California requested 50 strike teams from six different states. Flathead County responded with 16 firefighters and five engines. Montana sent a total of three strike teams, consisting of 55 people from 14 different agencies.

In the community of firefighters and first responders the willingness to give aid to others agencies is one of the core values, Chute said.

“When we are really burning and California is not, we get some of their resources,” said Chute. “Last year we had California teams here helping us with incident management. It is about everyone working together, especially now because they are having a really bad year down there.”