In response to the approaching threat of extreme fire weather, Governor Gavin Newsom has proactively deployed a surge of firefighting resources, including personnel, engines, and aircraft to Southern California's most vulnerable regions. An announcement published on the Governor's official website emphasized the strategic advancement of more than 130 fire-fighting apparatus amid forecasts of high winds and arid conditions by the National Weather Service, particularly in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
With memories of recent wildfires that laid bare the destructiveness of untamed flames, the mobilization seeks to ensure swift and robust defensive measures against potential new fires, high winds, and especially dry weather attend our horizon and families have been urged to remain alert, according to the state's announcement. Governor Newsom's office detailed the bolstering of CAL FIRE's capacity with 790 additional firefighting personnel and an assortment of 76 engines plus hand crews, dozers, and air support stationed across multiple counties, prepared for the incipient danger.
Complementing these efforts, the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) is prepositioning aid, deploying 98 fire engines, 14 water tenders, 8 helicopters, 7 dozers, and specialized crew members, a force distributed through the state's Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid System to areas including Kern, Los Angeles, Mono, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Inyo and Orange Counties. This decision follows the forecasting of strong wind gusts and the potential for rapid spread of fires, between noon Monday to 10 a.m. Tuesday, an alert issued after a series of 'Particularly Dangerous Situation' fire weather warnings issued since October, precursors to devastating blazes that have in their wake left structural ruin and shattered communities, as per the Governor's Office.
As these preparations intensify, Californians are being called to action, urged to formulate evacuation plans, assemble essentials into 'go bags', and look out for one another, especially the more susceptible among us, the state recognizing the onus lies not solely on the backs of those who battle the fire, but also on the everyday readiness of residents themselves. Information and resources for those affected are centralized on the dedicated CA.gov/LAfires, offering a hub of assistance, from the online application at DisasterAssistance.gov, FEMA's contact number and its smartphone application assistance is available in over 40 languages, the effort for relief leaving no room for barriers of language or capability.
