The National Guard has a reputation for being Always Ready, Always There. That especially rings true as service members are called in to protect our country from destructive wildfires.

Beginning on July 25, a wildfire known as Park Fire has engulfed parts of Northern California, leaving behind acres of destroyed land, property damage, injuries, and mandatory evacuations. 

According to reports from Wednesday, Park Fire has raged across 392,480 acres of land, making this the fifth largest wildfire to date in the state of California. 

California Governor Gavin Newsome called for a state of emergency for Butte, Plumas, Shasta, and Tehama counties, deploying over 2,500 personnel to try to slow the flames. Park Fire continues as other wildfires persist in other parts of the state, including Long Fire. 

Other states, such as Washington and Oregon, are also fighting their own significant wildfires. 

In response to these wildfires sweeping across the western part of the country, the National Guard has been deployed to help affected areas. Earlier this month, the California National Guard deployed two C-130 aircrafts equipped with Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems (MAFFS) from Channel Islands Air National Guard Station to help with wildfires in the state, especially the Long Fire. 

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek also declared a statewide state of emergency due to the wildfires and has deployed the Oregon National Guard, including two medevac helicopters and other air support. 

Additionally, on July 24, the Washington Army National Guard was called upon to help fight fires throughout eastern Washington. 

The Nevada National Guard was also deployed to California to help battle the fires, including a UH-60 Black Hawk and a Nevada Army Guard Chinook. 

As wildfires and more frequent extreme weather events increase, states know they can look the the Guard to be Always Ready, Always There.