NEWSOM DEPLOYS CALIFORNIA NATIONAL GUARD TO HELP COMBAT LA WILDFIRES
The beginning of 2025 has been turbulent for many parts of the United States, including Los Angeles, which continues to suffer from large, rapidly spreading wildfires. As of this writing the Palisades wildfire is only 8% contained, with officials still facing virtually unprecedented conditions as they work to save the City of Angels. To help aid with their efforts, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has sent military resources to combat the LA wildfires.
Governor Newsom Deploys California National Guard
Governor Gavin Newsom announced on January 9th that he approved a request from Los Angeles County to deploy the California National Guard to help support local law enforcement.
So far, over 8,000 personnel have been deployed to help fight fires and ensure that the public stay safe in Southern California. Resources have been deployed both state and nationwide.
"Thanks to the incredible work of our first responders and emergency personnel, we’re throwing everything at our disposal – including our National Guard servicemembers – to protect communities in the days to come. And to those who would seek to take advantage of evacuated communities, let me be clear: looting will not be tolerated," said Gavin Newsom.
The Military Police Forces branch of the CalGuard will be stationed at traffic control points to ensure the safety of the community. They will also help assist local law enforcement during this time.
DoD Sending Personnel to Help Put Out LA Wildfires
As the LA wildfires persist, the DoD is providing additional firefighting personnel and support to the area.
By doing so, the military resources hope to help California contain the out-of-control wildfires that began on January 7, 2025.
Several branches of the military are helping put out the LA wildfire, which consists of multiple fires ravaging the area.
Biden Authorizes Military Resources
President Joe Biden made the decision to send more military resources to the LA wildfires as a way to handle the rapidly growing problem more effectively.
"The federal government is working closely with the National Guard, which is deployed under (Gov. Gavin Newsom's) state of emergency declaration. The California National Guard is adding two Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System units, and two more are being readied by the Nevada National Guard," said Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh.
C-130s are aircraft capable of adding portable MAFFS without the need for major structural modifications for conversion into airtankers. In other words, they can adapt quickly and help fight the LA wildfires more effectively.
According to Singh, there are four additional MAFFS California could have at its disposal to fight the wildfires if needed.
Furthermore, there were ten helicopters equipped with water delivery buckets sent to immediately begin using aerial suppression to fight the fires from the Navy.
On the ground, the California State Guard is working hard to contain things, with at least two firefighting teams and four military police companies working in conjunction with local emergency teams and law enforcement.
Whether or not the DoD sends in more resources given the scope of the fires is yet to be seen, however, when President Biden initially sent help, a major factor was preventing more assets from being used—the weather.
Sadly, weather conditions have been very windy in the area, adding to the spread of the wildfires while also making it difficult to have airborne assets effectively operate in the area.
"We can surge assets, and the President has directed this department to bolster whatever California needs, but we have to work with California, and right now we can't even get assets up in the air because the fires are so bad and the winds are so bad. Until we can get more assets in the air, there's only so much we can provide; so, we're going to be standing by to support in every single way that we can," said Singh.
National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC)
The military trains for wildfires through the Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve, and Army, including programs deploying Veterans to assist.
Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft equipped as airtankers support fire suppression, with aircrews receiving annual training and certification from the NIFC.
LA Wildfires Affecting Hundreds of Thousands So Far
Fires in Los Angeles have destroyed neighborhoods, killed at least 10 people, forced over 300,000 to evacuate, and burned 56 square miles.
The Palisades Fire has claimed two lives, while the Eaton Fire has killed five and burned 21 square miles.
Evacuation alert issues have heightened anxiety as winds are expected to weaken on January 10, 2025, but intensify again shortly after. The LA wildfires could cost $150 billion, with containment still far off.
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