Last Thursday two members from the Hoquiam Fire Department — Engineer Derek Jensen and Engineer John Phillips — joined with other departments from the Central Region in Washington state and went to help fight the California wildfires.

On Sunday they reported back they have been designated to the Task Force 6 structure group of the Palisades Fire, and that they are well and busy working.

Jensen is a Task Force Leader, leading crews from Thurston, Lewis and Mason counties. Phillips is a crew member on a Black Lake McLane engine.

The unprecedented blazes have left at least 25 dead and a trail of destruction

Firefighters attack a line of flames in this photograph sent back from Hoquiam firefighters.