Orcas Island Fire Rescue and San Juan Island Fire District #3 have both sent fire vehicles and personnel to the raging Wildland fires in the Okanogan area of Eastern Washington.

“We do this for three reasons,” Orcas Island Fire Chief Mike Harris said. “It is the right thing to do. Our motto is ‘Neighbors helping neighbors,’ and if we ever get a major Wildland fire, we will be calling on those neighbors for their help here. The fire districts are compensated for equipment and personnel through the state, so it is financially responsible. Most important, the training and experience these Wildland firefighters come home with is only achievable on these major incidents. Their experiences will help save our islands when we have a major fire right here at home.”

Orcas Fire Rescue is also standing by for the call to send a larger “structural engine” to help protect the many houses that are being threatened.

“We had a multi-acre fire in the Westsound area just months ago that tested our system capabilities,” Orcas Training Chief Patrick Shepler said. “We received help from all the other island firefighting community. This is what firefighters are all about.”