FILE - In this Sept. 7, 2020, file photo a firetruck drives along state Highway 168 while battling the Creek Fire in the Shaver Lake community of Fresno County, Calif. A weekend wildfire east of Fresno exploded so fast that it trapped hundreds of holiday campers who were airlifted to safety in a dramatic rescue that strained the limits of two California National Guard helicopters. (AP Photo/Noah Berger, File)
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Task Force 1, a team comprised of 80 members from multiple agencies in the Salt Lake Valley, announced that it was activated early Saturday morning to help assist with wide-area search efforts in Oregon.
The task force will join the FEMA Red 1st, Washington Task Force 1 and 1MRP Canine Search Team Human Remains Detection Nevada Task Force1.
On Saturday, Oregon fire officials reported that more than 1,400 square miles have burned and dozens of people are missing. On Friday, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown said that nearly 500,000 people have either been told to evacuate or prepare to do so.
Also on Saturday and for an undisclosed reason, Oregon’s state fire marshal was placed on administrative leave. Jim Walker was replaced by Mariana Ruiz-Temple.