Mexico is sending firefighters across the southern border to help California battle the devastating wildfires that remain largely unchecked around Los Angeles, California Governor Gavin Newsom confirmed on Friday.
The Context
Six wildfires are now burning around Los Angeles, with the most recent one starting on Friday morning local time. The first fires ignited on Tuesday afternoon as potent Santa Ana winds walloped Southern California and escalated the spreading of the already potent blazes.
At least 11 people have died—five from the Pacific Palisades fire and six from the Eaton fire, both of which now rank among the most destructive blazes in California history, at third- and fourth-most, respectively.
The Claim
Social media posts on Friday morning started circulating videos that purported to show Mexican volunteer firefighters crossing the border to assist Los Angeles with tamping down on the half dozen fires surrounding the city.
The Facts
Newsom’s office in response to a Newsweek request for comment said it could not speak specifically to the social media video, but instead pointed to a post on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, in which the governor confirmed Mexico was sending aid.
The firefighters will arrive in California on Saturday, following an order from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to assist the state. As many as 90 firefighters will cross the border to assist the efforts of 10,000 personnel on the ground already.
The video circulating on social media, therefore, appears to be footage of firefighters from a previous incident, which Newsweek could not specify.
The Ruling
Needs Context.
FACT CHECK BY Newsweek
Mexico has assisted other countries with fire issues, notably Canada, a number of times, including in June 2023, according to Ontario Forest Fires, and in July 2024, per the Edmonton International Airport.
Firefighters work to extinguish a blaze that damaged two houses on a hillside in Tijuana, Baja California state, Mexico, on October 31, 2019. Mexico is sending firefighters to help California battle the various wildfires torching…
Firefighters work to extinguish a blaze that damaged two houses on a hillside in Tijuana, Baja California state, Mexico, on October 31, 2019. Mexico is sending firefighters to help California battle the various wildfires torching the Los Angeles area.
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Guillermo Arias/AFP via Getty Images
What People Are Saying
Newsom wrote on X: “Firefighters from Mexico are en route to the Eaton fire — joining more than 10,000 personnel already on the ground. California is deeply grateful for President Claudia [Sheinbaum]’s support as we work to suppress the Los Angeles wildfires. Our partnership and shared commitment to helping communities in need is greatly valued.”
Christine McMorrow, Deputy Director of Strategic Communications, told Newsweek in an email: “Currently we have 13 people from the British Columbia Fire Service enroute to the Palisades Fire to shadow Incident Management Team 2, per an interagency MOU between CAL FIRE and the British Columbia Fire Service. Staff are working to coordinate the logistics to bring 90 firefighters from Mexico City to California. They will be assigned when they arrive, possibly in the next day or two.”
Mexico’s National Civil Protection Council on X wrote: “Tomorrow, the Mexican delegation will leave on a solidarity mission to protect lives and nature. Mexico is with the United States. Solidarity has no borders,” according to a translation.
What Happens Next
Newsweek reached out to the Mexican foreign ministry for additional comment via email on Friday afternoon.
California continues to fight and contain the rampaging wildfires. Authorities warn that changes in wind and weather can make or break firefighting efforts, adding that they have managed to largely contain at least one fire, with significant progress in suppressing two others.
The two largest fires remain mostly unchecked: The Pacific Palisades inferno is just 8 percent contained, with the Eaton blaze at 3 percent controlled.
Update, 1/10/25 at 8:15 p.m. ET: This story has been updated to add a statement from Cal Fire.
Update, 1/10/25 at 8:24 p.m. ET: This story has been updated to correct the number of firefighters.
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Publish date : 2025-01-11 07:58:00
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Publish date : 2025-01-12 04:20:42
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