The Unified Fire Authority is sending firefighters to Oregon for 14 days as part of a statewide deployment to battle wildfires that have burned more than 1.5 million acres. The move raises questions about local coverage for Cottonwood Heights and Holladay during Utah's most dangerous stretch of fire season.
UFA is one of at least 12 Utah fire agencies contributing to two engine task forces that deployed Wednesday, July 29, according to ABC4. The Utah Department of Public Safety's Division of Emergency Management coordinated the response after Oregon's State Fire Marshal requested up to three Type III or IV engine task forces for structural protection of communities threatened by wildfire. Utah is providing two.
The request came through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, a national agreement that allows state-to-state mutual aid during declared emergencies.
UFA's role in the deployment
UFA's Wildland Division, led by Division Chief Anthony Widdison, operates two Type III/IV engines out of Station 120, each staffed with five to six personnel. Those match the type of resources Oregon requested. The ABC4 report did not specify how many UFA personnel are deploying or which stations are affected, and UFA has not publicly detailed what mutual-aid coverage is in place locally during the absence.
The deployment is expected to last through approximately Wednesday, Aug. 12. If Utah wildfires escalate, DPS can recall the task forces.
Already a punishing summer
The deployment comes just two weeks after UFA crews fought four structure fires in roughly 36 hours across Millcreek and Holladay. As we reported July 14, one firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion and the agency began pre-calling extra resources on any new working fire due to summer heat. A garage fire in Holladay on July 14 capped that stretch, with crews battling blazes through temperatures above 100 degrees.
That pace is not normal. UFA said on social media July 14 that the fires reflected the daily commitment firefighters make to respond "whenever and wherever they are needed," even with little opportunity for rest between calls.
Utah was already at the nation's highest wildfire preparedness level before the Oregon deployment, with four large fires burning across the state as of mid-July.
What residents can do
UFA has urged homeowners to take wildfire precautions now:
- Clear dry grass and brush at least 30 feet from your home.
- Clean roofs and gutters of debris.
- Have an evacuation plan ready.
For emergencies, call 911. UFA's non-emergency line is 801-743-7200.
Oregon fire conditions
Oregon wildfires have forced thousands of residents under "Go Now!" evacuation orders. The Fox Fire near the Idaho border scorched nearly 72 square miles with 0% containment as of Monday, July 27, closing 70 miles of Interstate 84 and forcing evacuation of the town of Huntington. Other large fires include the Coleman Creek Fire, the Brewer Fire, and the Big Grass Fire.
Other Utah agencies in the deployment include Sandy City, West Valley City, Orem, Draper, Salt Lake City, Park City, and South Jordan. DPS can pull all task forces back to Utah if conditions here worsen before the Aug. 12 return date.
