As California continues to fight the wildfire fueled by high winds, a New Mexico team is there to help. “It’s an honor to be able to be a part of it and to show that we’re here,” said Nathan Miller, Wildland Superintendent for the City of Santa Fe and Strike Team leader.
Firefighters in New Mexico packed up their gear Thursday morning and are headed out west, to help with the wildfires devastating California. Some firefighters have experience fighting fires in California.
A group of 25 New Mexico firefighters left Thursday morning for California to help battle a series of major fires in the Los Angeles area.
"These fires are becoming more common. What they were to call them is mega-fires," Nathan Miller said. He is leading the New Mexico Strike Team battling the Los Angeles fires. Although the fires have been unpredictable, he says his team continues to stand ready.
As more firefighters arrived to battle the blazes in Southern California — including a strike team from New Mexico — rumors have spread about some firefighters being turned away.
Bernalillo, San Juan and Los Alamos Counties, as well as the cities of Albuquerque and Santa Fe, will be deployed to Southern California on Thursday morning
Canada, Mexico, Ukraine and Iran have all offered support to Los Angeles as wildfires continue to destroy the Californian city's landscape and infrastructure. Newsweek has contacted the office of California Governor Gavin Newsom for comment and updates on help that has been sent to the state.
California Governor Gavin Newsom on Friday afternoon confirmed Mexico will send firefighters to help Los Angeles battle wildfires.
Snowfall continues to be seen across Northern New Mexico this afternoon. Later this evening the snow will shift southward. A low pressure system over Baja California continues to funnel moisture into New Mexico.
A humanitarian team from Mexico, deployed to fight the fires burning in Southern California, arrived at Los Angeles International Airport on Saturday afternoon.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo said that her country was sending support in part because many Mexican people live in the Los Angeles area.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass recently rejected an offer for assistance from the New York Fire Department, outlets reported.