Colorado firefighters help battle Los Angeles wildfires
Colorado has sent nine strike teams made up of local firefighters to aid in fighting the fires in Southern California.
The Palisades Fire, which began one week ago following intense winds, currently covers 23,713 acres and is 17 percent contained. As of Monday, at least 24 people have died in the Los Angeles area fires.
The strike teams from Colorado are made up of over 60 local fire departments, fire districts and sheriff’s offices from around the state and include almost 50 fire engines. The Colorado Division of Fire Prevention & Control also sent a Multi-Mission Aircraft to aid CAL FIRE.
“DFPC and the Colorado Fire Service remain committed to supporting our partners and neighbors in times of need, exemplifying the spirit of collaboration and mutual aid that is fundamental to wildfire response across the West,” DFPC Director Mike Morgan said in a statement.
Governor Jared Polis offered the state’s support Monday.
“We are heartbroken by the lives lost and touched by these fires, which remind us that fire can strike anytime and anywhere,” Polis said in a news release. “Colorado is sadly no stranger to the destruction that fires can cause in our communities. We are proud to step up and help the southern California communities that are being impacted, and I am deeply appreciative of the women and men from state government and from local governments across Colorado who are lending a hand in California’s time of need.”
Los Angeles and Ventura counties remain under red flag warnings until Wednesday, the National Weather Service said.
“We aren’t out of the woods yet,” Governor Gavin Newsom said on Monday. “As we anticipate severe fire weather in the coming days, we are surging thousands of personnel and equipment to ensure the safety of our communities. Our response efforts continue on the ground during this ever-evolving situation – Southern Californians must stay vigilant and heed orders from local authorities.”
There are over 15,000 personnel and 1,900 pieces of firefighting apparatus fighting the fires, according to Newsom’s office.
The AccuWeather Global Weather Center estimates $250 billion to $275 billion in total damage and economic losses from the Los Angeles-area fires.
