Abbott Orders Texas Firefighters to CA

Responding to a request from California, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Saturday announced that he will deploy Texas firefighters and first responders to help quell the wildfires raging around Los Angeles.

The Texas Division of Emergency Management and the state’s Texas A&M Forest Service will deploy more than 135 firefighters, medics and emergency response personnel to California as part of the order, as well as more than 45 engines, ambulances and command vehicles, according to the governor’s announcement.

“Our hearts grieve with the entire Los Angeles community as they continue to respond to these destructive wildfires,” Abbot said in a prepared statement. “Texans know all too well the devastation wildfires can cause to our communities, and our country is stronger when we come together in times of crisis.”

Numerous other states have agreed to send firefighters to California since wildfires broke out there on Tuesday, including Maine, Idaho and Oregon. Canada and Mexico also have sent firefighters and equipment, the New York Times reported. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has activated the California National Guard to help respond to the blazes.

As of Monday afternoon, authorities have reported at least 24 deaths from the numerous fires around Los Angeles. A recent spate of dry weather in the region created prime conditions for fire, and California’s Santa Ana winds have helped to stoke and spread the flames.

About 150,000 residents have been forced to evacuate, the Washington Post reported on Monday, and more may leave soon. The National Weather Service on Monday grew the area it has placed under “extreme risk” red flag fire warnings due to forecasts calling for gusts of wind of up to 70 miles per hour through Wednesday.