Firefighters work to suppress the Palisades Fire that started in the City of Los Angelas, January 2025.CAL FIRE_Official, via Wikimedia Commons
On January 7, 2025, a small fire broke out in Topanga State Park in the Pacific Palisades in Los Angeles, California. As strong dry winds blew across LA the fire spread quickly, forcing hundreds of families to flee their homes and leave everything behind.[1] Within a matter of days, six different wildfires were burning across LA, destroying entire communities in their paths. As of January 14, twenty-four people have lost their lives,[2] more than 150,000 people are under evacuation orders, and approximately 10,000 buildings and 40,0000 acres have been destroyed.[3]
In response to the tragedy, heroes from around the world have gathered to fight the fires and support those who have been affected by the devastation. States across the U.S. have sent personnel, fire engines, ambulances, and air crafts to California to help try and suppress the fires and to protect the thousands of residents now under evacuation orders. Greg Abbott, the Governor of Texas, deployed more than one hundred and thirty firefighters as well as forty-five fire engines and ambulances.[4] Oregon State Fire Marshal sent twenty-one teams made up of thirty water tenders and seventy firefighters,[5] whilst nine teams and fifty fire engines were sent from Colorado.[6] Firefighters also traveled from Arizona and Nevada to join the effort.[7]
CAL FIRE_Official, via Wikimedia CommonsA firefighter sits atop an outbuilding to try and prevent the fire from spreading.
It is not only other states that have rallied behind LA in the past week, but other countries. Firefighters from Canada and Mexico have made their way to do as much as they can to fight the fires, whilst Government officials have released statements of support. President Justin Trudeau of Canada wrote in a statement released on X
Canadian firefighters are on the ground, working shoulder to shoulder with American crews, helping wherever they can. More Canadian crews are on the way. We’re proud to help our American friends, and grateful for the first responders working in the toughest of conditions to save homes and keep people safe.[8]
Claudia Sheinbaum, President of Mexico, said, “We are going to provide support. Not only because the people and government of Mexico have always been generous, but also because there are many Mexicans in this area of the United States,”[9] before sending a specialized team compiled of firefighters, doctors, engineers, and a search and rescue crew.[10]
The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also offered to send one hundred and fifty Ukrainian firefighters to assist those already there. Said Zelenskyy
Today, I instructed Ukraine’s Minister of Internal Affairs and our diplomats to prepare for the possible participation of our rescuers in combating the wildfires in California. The situation there is extremely difficult, and Ukrainians can help Americans save lives. This is currently being coordinated, and we have offered our assistance to the American side through the relevant channels. 150 of our firefighters are already prepared.[11]
It is often in times of deep tragedy that every day heroes emerge. In the face of this disaster communities throughout LA have come together to protect and support each other and hundreds of first responders have traveled from the safety of their hometowns to fight the fires and care for those who will have to rebuild. MY HERO commends the hundreds of heroes currently in LA and sends heartfelt well-wishes to all those who are navigating their way through such a difficult time.
Discover organizations and projects aiding the recovery efforts and ways you can support here.
[1] Aratani, Lauren. California wildfires: investigators explore possible link between New Year’s fireworks and Palisades blaze [Online] Available https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/13/palisades-california-wildfires-fireworks. 2025.
[2] Speck, Emilee & Yablonski, Steven. California wildfires: Death toll rises as Los Angeles area sees 'particularly dangerous' fire weather return [Online] Available https://www.foxweather.com/extreme-weather/california-wildfires-latest-los-angeles-death-toll. 2025.
[3] NBC News. How the wildfires engulfed the Los Angeles area: Fire & Ash - Part 1 [Online] Available https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhgWNjRSmn4. 2025.
[4] Speck, Emilee. Firefighters from around US, world are helping fight Los Angeles wildfires [Online] Available https://www.foxweather.com/extreme-weather/firefighters-from-around-world-helping-fight-los-angeles-wildfires. 2025.
[5] https://x.com/OSFM/status/1878224799253897601
[6] Speck, 2025.
[7] Ibid.
[8] https://x.com/JustinTrudeau/status/1878981942927856090
[9] Nowell, Cecilia. Governor doubles national guard in LA as firefighters arrive from Mexico and Canada – as it happened [Online] Available https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2025/jan/11/california-fires-la-fires-live-updates-latest-news. 2025.
[10] Devall, Alan. Mexican firefighters prepare to do battle with LA fires [Online] Available https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/mexican-firefighters-prepare-do-battle-with-la-fires-2025-01-13/. 2025.
Page created on 1/16/2025 12:07:12 PM
Last edited 1/16/2025 12:37:49 PM
