Four Whidbey Island firefighters are battling “violent fire activity” in Eastern Washington until at least the end of this week.

The men — all members of North Whidbey Fire and Rescue — offered to help crews working the Stickpin Fire, more than 47,000 acres burning on the Kettle Crest between Curlew and Orient in northern Ferry County, said Fire Chief Mike Brown.

“They’re doing very well,” he said. “It’s hot, windy — a tough fight. They’re working hard every day.”

The firefighters are strike leader Ryan McCarthy, Chris Turner, Chris Hernandez and William Canty. Chief Brown asked them to check in with him daily.

All four are certified in wildland training.

The men are paid by the Department of Natural Resources but they’ve taken a district fire truck and brush rig, a beefed up F-550 with a pump and tank that’s more agile in the backwoods.

The state reimburses for the use of the equipment. The men provide their own gear, which costs hundreds of dollars.

Crews made good progress suppressing “violent fire activity” in the Stickpin Fire, according to an incident report updated Monday.

Firefighters built fire lines along the western edge of the blaze and three helicopters are dropping water as conditions allow. “Public and firefighter safety is a significant concern,” according to the report.

No homes have been lost and there have been no injuries in the Stickpin Fire.

Central Whidbey Fire & Rescue has not sent crews to Eastern Washington. However, one of its part-time members, Trenton Taylor, is there representing the National Guard, Deputy Chief Charlie Smith said.

Smith said it’s more important than ever on Whidbey Island to focus on fire prevention since backup resources are extremely thin.

Island County has a total burn ban in effect.

“The whole thing is prevention,” Smith said. “If we get something big, I don’t know where other resources would come from. They’re just so limited. The second and third string fire defenses are all assigned.”

Reporter Ron Newberry contributed to this report.