OLA, Idaho — Over 50 locals gathered at the Ola Community Hall on Friday morning to discuss support plans for the Paddock Fire.
The community hall is operating 24/7 until otherwise needed, according to Gem County Commissioner, Kirk Wille.
"We're just trying to coordinate a logistics system so that we don't have a lot of traffic on the road," Wille told KTVB. "We're going to have everything coordinated and then delivered to the Sweet fire station...What needs to come north will be brought up, and that way, we don't have a lot of people traveling the road during the fire."
The group is offering three meals a day and snacks for the firefighters. Wille said the group is offering livestock assistance and locals are offering their truck and trailer to move animals if needed.
This is one group of volunteers supporting those battling the flames.
Thursday night KTVB spoke to a group of women who set up a drop off station at the sweet fire station. The Gem County Chamber of Commerce collected other supplies like Chapstick, eye drops, and baby wipes.
By Friday afternoon they are no longer taking donations as multiple groups said the community went above and beyond with donations.
"We've got many business owners and local community members that are offering to help. We have actually more help than we need. And that's it. Just speaks loudly about our community," Wille said.
For updates on donations needed, keep up with the Paddock Fire Updates and Support Page and Gem County Chamber of Commerce on Facebook.
KTVB asked The American Red Cross of Idaho and East Oregon if they've set up any shelters in the area. In response they said crews are in Gem, Payette, and Washington Counties on standby.
If a request for shelters is made, they'll be ready within two hours of request, they said.
The Idaho National Guard is monitoring the fires across the state. and is also on standby and has not been called on to help at this point. A spokesperson for the guard said that request would come from the local level once all other resources have been exhausted.