No out-of-state fire vehicles turned away from California due to emissions testing

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The Oregon State Fire Marshal’s office and California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) have cleared up misinformation spreading across social media regarding out-of-state fire engines being turned away from the wildfire efforts in California due to emissions testing.

The rumors are false, the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s office declared in a news release. Among others, a local strike team consisting of an engine from Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue and Clark County Fire Districts 3 and 10 departed from CCFR Station 21 on Thursday, Jan. 9, to go to Los Angeles. Before they made the final leg of the trip to Southern California, the fire crews stopped for a routine safety and mechanical inspection at a California mobile equipment facility.

“Recognizing that these heavy-duty vehicles endure extensive travel, we are committed to ensuring their safety before deployment to the front lines,” Cal Fire said in a statement on its Facebook page. “Inspections include looking at tire conditions, checking fluid levels, belts and brakes, steering components and more.”

Despite a rumor spreading like wildfire across social media, emissions testing was not tested.



“Emissions are not a part of this inspection,” Cal Fire stated. “In fact, California has specific laws that exempt emergency equipment responding to an incident from CA emissions.”

CCFR shared the post by Cal Fire stating that people have asked about fire apparatus being inspected in California. CCFR also shared a Cal Fire post that included a video explaining what occurs at a California mobile equipment facility.

In a post on Wednesday, Jan. 15, Clark County Fire District 3 stated that its crews have been actively engaged in structure protection and evacuating residents in the Mandeville Canyon area in the Los Angeles fires. On Jan. 15, CCFD3 stated that crews are preparing for reassignment as red flag warnings for forecasted high wind conditions can cause further fire spread.