‘No engine was turned away’: Oregon State Fire Marshal clears up misinformation about LA wildfire efforts

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The Oregon State Fire Marshal is clearing the air about what they described as “misinformation” circulating on social media and on some news sites.

The false claims online allege that some Oregon firefighters and equipment had to be turned away in California due to not passing emissions tests amid the ongoing efforts to assist with wildfires raging in the Los Angeles area.

“TO BE CLEAR: THIS IS FALSE,” the Oregon State Fire Marshal said in a statement. “No engine was turned away. They all completed the safety check, and all 15 strike teams arrived in Southern California on Thursday and began their 24 hour shift early Friday morning.”

Officials said there was also “no delay” in the firefighters' projected travel time or process of getting the equipment checked.

“Our equipment is held to the highest safety standard to ensure the safety of our firefighters,” OSFM said. “The equipment also does not regularly travel hundreds of miles at a time. Firefighter safety is our number one priority.”

On Saturday, the Oregon State Fire Marshal announced they were sending six more strike teams to California, bringing the total to 21. There are now 360 structural firefighters from Oregon in California helping with the wildfires there.