Commissioner calls for National Guard to help fight Holiday Farm Fire

Houses are burning -- businesses are being destroyed and community members are losing hope.

With wildfires raging on across the state including in our area --- many are left feeling worried for what's to come.

Kezi 9 news reporter jillian smukler joins us live in the studio to explain the toll these fires are having on our community and why local leaders say -- we need help.

Renee -- its been a long six months.

As if a global pandemic wasn't enough -- the holiday farm fire continues to tear through small towns in our area -- forcing thousands out of people out their homes --- and worried about the future of lane county.

And to make matters worse -- local leaders say we don't have enough resources to fight a fire this size -- so we need help*fast.

"we are feeling as a community heartfelt palpable trauma and it's a full on emergency" a full on emergency -- that has many local leaders concerned.

"people are exhausted and person power doesn't exist we do not have near the resources that would normally be necessary to fight a fire this size" not only do we not have enough resources -- but the damage that's*already been done -- is catastrophic.

"our mckenzie highway and community will not be the same after this" but a lot of questions remain -- like how*much damage.

"we do expect extensive damaged property and land -- but we are just not in a position to go out and see all the damage while the fire is ablaze" while level three evacuation areas are off limits -- board chair heather buck says many residents have been trying to go in anyway.

"please don't go back in it is not safe we will make sure once it is safe we will let people know in the meantime we are patrolling the area.

Even though its only been 3 days of the holiday farm fire -- it'll have*lasting impacts on the community.

"its not a sprint its not a marathon it's a ultra marathon" small towns have been torn apart -- raising the question of what'll happen to them after this is all over.

"we expect that blue river itself is gone for the most part" so what comes next?

"it's a very somber and focused time for dealing with the issue" and the immediate issue -- is saving lives.

Nats of fire local leaders acknowledge that no one could've prepared for this.

"we currently are in a place no one has known before in terms of pandemic right, economic shut down virtually or downturn, the social unrest, the divisiveness of elections and this" but that doesn't take away from the fact that our county is struggling right now.

"this is coming on the heels of just having dipped into reserves more than sometimes prudent in order to deal with the preceding crisis so we going to do everything we can based on what we can based upon what we can and its people and property and lives first" they encourage anyone who is able and*willing to help those who have been affected by the fire -- to donate to a wildfire fund that was just opened by united way of lane county.

That's where you can know for certain that if you contribute -- those resources will stay*local and go to those who have been directly affected.

For more information on how you can get involved -- head to our website at kezi dot com.

Reporting live in the studio jillian smukler kezi 9 news.