California officials denied claims made by right-wing social media influencers that Oregon fire trucks had been turned away due to emissions regulations. They say that the trucks were stopped briefly for routine safety inspections before traveling to the site where the Los Angeles fires.
Cal Fire has debunked this claim, which has been widely shared on social media. Cal Fire stated “no vehicles have been refused service or turned away from other states.” Cal Fire said that any vehicles or equipment coming in from outside the state will be subjected to inspection before they are used, but not for emissions testing.
The Office of the Oregon State Fire Marshal also addressed rumors. It said that all Oregon teams sent to Southern California started their shifts as planned last Friday. OSFM stated that the safety checks ensured their equipment was safe to be used by their firefighters, as it “doesn’t regularly travel hundreds or miles at a given time.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom ‘s office refuted these claims. They noted that vehicles are subject to a 15-minute safety and equipment check, which ensures there are no problems. He also said that when the false claims began spreading, “the Oregon Firefighting Teams were already in Los Angeles fighting the fires.”
firefighting teams have joined California crews, National Guard troops, and firefighters from Canada and Mexico in the battle against the fatal fires that have burned more than 60 square kilometers over the last week.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency and state officials have actively tried to combat false rumors and misinformation regarding the fires.
