Arizona answered California’s request for help to combat more than a dozen wildfires ravaging different parts of the state.
On Monday, the Arizona Department of Forestry and Management announced its decision to deploy 375 firefighters and 75 engines to California.
California need more firefighters to battle wildfires
A majority of Arizona’s fire personnel will be helping to put out two of the largest wildfires in California—the Carr Fire in Shasta County and Ferguson Fire in Mariposa County. These wildfires already destroyed hundreds of structures and killed a number of people including firefighters.
Other Arizona firefighters “will provide local fire department station coverage.” Some of them “will be assigned as initial attack resources for new fire starts.” Several others will be assigned in areas where the next round of lightnings are forecasted to strike.
In a statement, Arizona State Forester Jeff Whitney said, “These fires are taking out anything and everything in their way, taking lives and destroying property. The fires are burning at an alarming intensity and high rate of speed. California needs more boots on the ground and the state of Arizona is committed to sending all the resources we can.”
