Firefighters from Mexico and Canada Aid in Battling Devastating Wildfires in Los Angeles

Los Angeles, The Gulf Observer: In a collaborative effort to combat the ongoing catastrophic wildfires engulfing Los Angeles, firefighters from Mexico and Canada have joined forces with local authorities.

A contingent of over 70 firefighters and troops from Mexico has arrived in the city, mobilized to tackle the Palisade fire starting this Monday, announced Cal Fire, California’s fire authority. “All 73 will be paired up as a handcrew,” stated Cal Fire public information officer Curtis Rhodes, emphasizing their role in constructing crucial fire lines – cleared strips of land designed to halt the spread of flames.

Simultaneously, Canadian firefighters have also been deployed to the region, underscoring the international solidarity in confronting the unprecedented fire crisis.

Over the weekend, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky extended an offer to dispatch 150 firefighters from Ukraine to aid in the firefighting efforts.

Tragically, the toll of the wildfires continues to mount, with at least 24 confirmed fatalities reported in connection with the blazes. The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office is currently investigating these deaths, with 16 attributed to the Eaton fire and 8 linked to the Palisades fire. Authorities caution that these figures may rise pending further examinations of recovered human remains.

The scale of destruction is staggering, with more than 150,000 residents evacuated and an additional 87,000 under evacuation warnings. The wildfires have consumed over 12,000 homes and businesses, scorching an area exceeding 60 square miles (155 square kilometers) so far.

Efforts to contain and extinguish the fires remain ongoing, with international support playing a pivotal role in mitigating the crisis.

For further updates and safety instructions, residents are advised to follow local authorities and emergency services.