BEND, Ore. — The Oregon Military Department says soldiers turned firefighters are ready to help battle a wildfire that has destroyed more than three dozen homes near John Day.
More than half the soldiers are from units based in Central Oregon. They just completed a fast, four-day training session in Salem, and Military Department spokesman Nick Choy tells The Bulletin newspaper of Bend they are set to relieve wildland firefighters battling the Canyon Creek Complex fire.
Those firefighters will get some rest and be sent other fire lines around the state.
The soldiers’ main task will be mopping up, or putting out hot spots where the wildfire is not active.
The wildfire started two weeks and was 42 percent contained Wednesday morning. It has burned more than 115 square miles.
