Mexico sends firefighters to aid in fight against Los Angeles wildfires

LOS ANGELES COUNTY, Calif. — As crews continue to battle the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Saturday the arrival of 72 firefighters and disaster relief workers from Mexico. 

Crews from Mexico’s National Forestry Commission and Ministry of Defense are joining the ongoing firefighting efforts. In a press release, Newsom expressed deep gratitude to Mexico for sending resources to Los Angeles. 

“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,” Newsom said. “Thank you to President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo for lending the best of the best.” 

The Mexican fire crews will work alongside with 14,000 personnel already on the front lines of the ongoing battle against the ravaging fires. 

Fire crews throughout the state, including multiple agencies from the Sacramento Region, are also in the Los Angeles area to assist in the firefighting efforts. 

CAL FIRE’s McClellan Air Base near North Highlands sent aerial support to Southern California, deploying a fleet of firefighting aircraft to Southern California.

As of Saturday afternoon, wildfires in the Los Angeles region had burned 39,622 acres, destroyed over 12,000 structures, and prompted over 180,000 people to evacuate from their homes, according to CAL FIRE.

On Saturday, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office said the death toll from the wildfires increased to 16. Five deaths were attributed to the Palisades Fire, and 11 resulted from the Eaton Fire. 

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