Nearly a dozen Montana fire departments have headed down to the Golden State to help fight wildfires in Los Angeles that have killed at least 24 people and displaced thousands of others.  

Two four-person crews from the Bigfork and Whitefish fire departments are part of a named Montana Strike Force stationed at Will Rogers State Beach, which sits at the southeast corner of the Palisades fire.  

The Flathead Valley firefighters will work alongside crews from the Butte-Silver Bow, Central Valley and Plains fire departments, according to Bigfork Fire officials. They are assigned to help fight the fires for at least 18 days.  

The Bigfork Fire was tasked with structure protection, said firefighter and department public information officer Al Benitez. Using Engine 332, a structural firefighting truck that the crew drove down to Southern California with, they will work to keep the flames from spreading to intact buildings.    

The four-person team consists of engine boss Tom Pauley, Jesse Barreto, Shaney Fox and Paul Friend. Barreto is a part time department employee, Fox a resident firefighter and Friend a volunteer firefighter. 

Benitez said that sending resources to California will have no effect on the fire department’s ability to fight fires in Bigfork.  

“Because it’s winter here, we actually have availability,” he said.  

The Bigfork crew helping fight the blaze will not come at a cost to Montana taxpayers, according to a department Facebook post. All costs will be covered by California.  

Benitez said to check the department’s Facebook page for regular updates.   

The Palisades Fire has burned over 23,000 acres and is at 17% containment, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. 

There are currently 5,2000 firefighters, 44 helicopters, 540 engines, 66 bulldozers and 60 water tenders assigned to fight the Palisades Fire, according to Benitez.  

Reporter Jack Underhill can be reached at 758-4407 or [email protected].