Pilots from California deliver medical supplies to Eugene

Volunteer private pilots from California arrived at the Eugene Airport in waves Saturday to deliver 100,000 KN95 masks and medical supplies.

Aircraft.

Its no secret that oregon has been going through a*lot this year.

From the economic impact of the pandemic -- to the historic wildfires that have caused devastation throughout the state -- many are hoping for some type of relief.

Well -- the good news is -- help is on the way.

Over five thousand pounds of supplies from california flew through the air today -- to help the areas that were hit the hardest.

Kezi 9 news reporter kennedy dendy was at the eugene airport where the planes arrived -- to see why volunteers are stepping up to make a difference.

Oregon wildfires have burned over 1 million acres.

So there's no doubt that the need for supplies and*relief is greatly needed.

Andrew: "three years in a row now, california has had the most historic fires, breaking records year after year.

Now, we are seeing that here in oregon."

20 planes.

100,000 n-95 masks.

And over 5,000 pounds of supplies-- which cost aroundone hundred and fifty thousand dollars -- rolled into the runway of the eugene airport.

And it was thanks to the non profit -- "direct relief" its an organization based out of california that responds to disasters all over the world.

Andrew: "we know what's needed.

We have the supplies to help.

And then it's connecting with these great groups here on the ground that can distribute the supplies where they're needed."

Volunteer private pilots from the "california pilots association's disaster airlift response team" and "angel flights west" loaded up the supplies at the santa barbara airport saturday morning-- as well as other northern california airports.

And then...they were on their way.

Bridge: the supplies being flown in from california will be given out to evacuation sites and distribution centers across oregon, to those who need it the very most.

Some of those sites include the eugene masonic lodge, lane county public health, glide revitalization and the medford expo center --but the list goes on.

And volunteers with reach out worldwide were on the ground ready to work.

Luke: "i'm a firefighter.

And firefighters by nature just want to help people.

I think that's just kind of a human nature thing that most people want to help people."

The airlifts carried enough medication and supplies to help 750 people.

This includes inhalers, poison oak treatment, masks and other items to help those on the front lines.

Luke: "this is just an organiztion that i love and i believe in.

I know they do a lot of good so we can get out here and help as many people as possible."

This is the*first time direct relief has utilized a fleet of private pilots like this to fly in supplies for those who need it the most.

Andrew: "you actually see the best of humanity in these times."

Reporting in eugene kennedy dendy kezi 9 news.

Speaking of stepping up -- wildland fires from canada are helping on the beachie creek fire.

Fire officials say the rainfall over the last twenty four hours*decreased fire behavior and allowed firefighters to make a lot of progress securing the perimeter.

But -- the amount