The death toll in the devastating Los Angeles wildfires rose to 16 as firefighters from Canada and Mexico rushed in to help the state of California. Five wind-fed fires have left the second-largest American city in a complete shamble with thousands being displaced. The areas equalled to the size of Manhattan have been burned as of now with 12,000 structures turned to ashes.
As the US authorities struggle to get a hold of the ravaging flames, Mexico on Saturday confirmed that it has sent a team of firefighters to help the state. America’s northern neighbour Canada followed the same suit and assured that they were willing to send the Canadian military to help with the situation.
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo noted that the group of firefighters had left for California on Sunday morning. “We are a generous and supportive country,” she wrote in her post. “You carry with you the courage and heart of Mexico.”
Meanwhile, on Friday, Canada’s British Columbia Wildfire Service announced that it was deploying a senior management team to help Los Angeles control the wildfire. A team of Canadian firefighters were sent out at the request of the Canadian fire officials, Global News reported. Premier David Eby confirmed the deployment in a post to social media, adding the team would be “departing imminently."
“We’re also working to send ground crews as part of a national response,” Eby said. “California has been there for us, we will be there for them. That’s what good neighbours do," he added. Meanwhile, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that he has doubled the deployment of the state’s national guard to Los Angeles amid the wildfires.
In a statement on Saturday, Newsome said that over 1,600 national guards have been deployed in the city to deal with the blaze. “We are continuing to rush in resources to rapidly respond to the firestorm in Los Angeles fueled by hurricane-force winds. The men and women of the California National Guard are working day and night to help Los Angeles residents during their greatest time of need. We are grateful for their continued bravery and commitment to be of service to others,” the California governor said in a statement.
So far, more than 12,000 personnel including firefighters, guard service members, highway patrol officers and transportation teams have been working day and night to deal with the deadly wildfires.
