Forecasters warn that strong winds will return this week, which could push the fires further through Los Angeles county.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Sunday that his nation will send 60 firefighters to assist California in battling the massive wildfires that have recently ravaged the Los Angeles area.
Trudeau made the announcement via his X account on Jan. 12. In another post on X, the outgoing prime minister posted a clip showing Canadian aerial firefighting aircraft “readying for another pass over the Southern California wildfires.”
“Always here to help our American friends,” Trudeau stated.
Trudeau announced on Jan. 6 that he would step down from his posts as prime minister and leader of the Liberal Party once a successor has been chosen amid infighting within his party.
Canadian Emergency Preparedness Minister Harjit Sajjan stated on X that the firefighters will be deployed from Alberta and British Columbia as early as Monday.
The fires, which have been burning since Jan. 7, have killed 24 people and scorched 40,300 acres in Los Angeles. Over 12,300 infrastructures have been destroyed and forecasters warned that strong winds will return this week, which could push the fires further through the county.
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Sajjan said the Canadian government is working to identify and prepare additional resources to send over the days ahead, while coordinating efforts with provincial authorities to deploy resources.
“Our American friends have asked for help to fight the wildfires in California and Team Canada is responding,” he stated. “Neighbors helping neighbors.”
Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair said on Jan. 10 that he had approved the deployment of Royal Canadian Air Force assets to assist in transporting firefighters and equipment to California.
“[The Canadian Armed Forces] stand ready to transport personnel and equipment to support our American neighbours,” Blair said in a statement on X.
Mexico also deployed 70 firefighters and disaster relief workers to assist in battling the Los Angeles wildfires on Jan. 11.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said on Jan. 12 that he had deployed 1,000 additional California National Guard personnel to fight the wildfires, bringing the total of service members to 2,500.
So far, the state has mobilized more than 15,000 firefighters, guard service members, highway patrol officers, and transportation teams for the ongoing firefight, according to the governor’s office. Newsom declared a state of emergency over the devastating wildfires on Jan. 7.
Coupled with low humidity, officials expect high winds to sweep through the region in the coming days, with gusts up to 50 miles per hour, according to Los Angeles City Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley.
“These wind events are coming into Los Angeles,” Crowley said at a Sunday press briefing. “Every available LAFD firefighter is on hand and will remain in place through this wind event. Additionally, firefighters continue to pour into the Southern California region to bolster our firefighting capabilities.”
Residents have been urged to stay out of the affected areas, as dangerous conditions remain, including smoldering fires, no power or water, broken gas lines, and downed electrical lines.
Jacob Burg contributed to this report.
