The two men, Brett Kranjcevich and Wes Paulsen, drove one of the district’s brush trucks there last week. On Monday, Assistant Chief George Brown said they had been assigned to the Reach Complex Fire, a massive fire that has destroyed homes and businesses and is one of fires in the area that have caused thousands of people to evacuate.

Kranjcevich and Paulsen  were stationed in Pateros, Washington, working on a team tasked with preventing additional structure fires. Brown said he expected the men to remain in the area for at least a week.

More firefighters were still needed, Brown said, adding that he was considering sending an additional member from VIFR with a tender, a truck that transports water to a fire.

VIFR’s efforts are part of a state mobilization, and several agencies are assisting. The state makes it financially possible for districts to do so, as it pays the wages of those who go and for the use of equipment.

It’s important that VIFR participate, Brown added.

“For us, we are an island,” he said. “There is going to be a day we need that kind of help.”