California's Governor Gavin Newsom welcomed a crew of 72 Mexican firefighters and emergency personnel to Los Angeles this week, a move aiming to enhance the state's firefighting forces as they tackle a series of challenging wildfires. The team, comprised of members from the National Forestry Commission and the Ministry of Defense, is poised to join the expansive group of over 14,000 local personnel currently battling the blazes, as reported by the Governor's Office. This international effort is a testament to the cross-border collaboration in times of crisis.
In an effort to tackle the fires that have put Los Angeles on high alert, Governor Newsom expressed deep appreciation for the support received from Mexico. "Emergencies have no borders – we are deeply grateful to our neighbors in Mexico for their unwavering support during one of our greatest times of need. Thank you to President Claudia Sheinbaum for lending the best of the best," he said, according to a press release on the state's official website. The supplemental international team is set to engage in handcrew operations alongside the existing units.
Los Angeles residents affected by the wildfire can find disaster relief and resources at the online portal, CA.gov/LAfires. The site serves as a centralized hub with information from various governmental levels. Moreover, those who have incurred losses due to the wildfires are eligible to apply for assistance. Applications can be made online at DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-3362, or by utilizing the FEMA smartphone application, with support accessible in over 40 languages to accommodate a diverse range of needs, as per the Governor's Office.
