PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Seaside Fire & Rescue Operations Chief Dave Rankin said he’s been in Los Angeles a few times. But he had a hard time believing his eyes as he arrived to help battle the ongoing destructive wildfires.
“It’s hard to believe, like, when you’re looking at what used to be buildings and, you know, Sunset Boulevard,” Rankin told KOIN 6 News on Sunday. “That’s all gone.”
He is among about 370 Oregon firefighters sent through mutual aid programs to tackle the wind-swept wildfires that have taken the lives of at least 16 people and destroyed thousands of homes, schools and businesses. Rankin is serving as the task force leader for Task Force 11 in this deployment…