A Ballard woman is working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in assisting victims of the recent fires that have burned more than half a million acres and destroyed more than 2,000 homes.

Gretchen Martinsen came to the Federal Emergency Management Agency Joint Field Office in Pasadena as an Assistant Team Leader to coordinate Corps Public Works and Engineering support. Martinsen said she is proud to be a part of the effort to coordinate the response to the California fires.

Martinsen's primary responsibility is to work with other agencies when the Corps receives a mission from the emergency management agency. As Assistant Team Leader, she ensures that missions are scoped correctly and that sufficient funding exists. When Corps teams come in, she makes sure they have their proper points of contact and that the appropriate documentation is approved.

Martinsen has responded to a variety of disasters since the 1980's, including recoveries from floods and hurricanes and at Ground Zero. Participating in a disaster response and recovery requires more than being merely technically competent, according to Martinsen.

"This work takes common sense, a good work ethic and a sense of humor," she said. "You need to leave your ego behind."

The spate of wildfires across Southern California forced nearly a million residents to flee the devastated seven-county region. It is the largest evacuation in California history, from north of Los Angeles to south of San Diego.