One hundred firefighters from Guadalajara, Mexico, have joined the ongoing effort to contain the unprecedented West Coast wildfires.
The firefighters, hailing from the Comisión Nacional Forestal (CONAFOR), were met by U.S. Forest Service officials at San Bernardino International Airport on Sept. 23 after responding to a call for assistance from the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC). The two groups exchanged warm introductions and gifts before heading out for a day of orientation and intensive training.
Mexican firefighters arrive in California on Sept. 23 to help battle the ongoing wildfire. Courtesy of Pacific Southwest Forest Service
After training and a night’s rest, reports a NIFC news release, the Mexican firefighters headed for the site of the Sequoia (SQF) Complex Fires in Tulare County, California.
The firefighting convoy from Guadalajara comprised 100 individuals representing five fire crews and four agency representatives. U.S. Deputy Regional Forester Tony Scardina said in a video posted on Twitter that it was “an honor” to welcome the Mexican crews to the States and to have their vital support during the ongoing crisis.
A firefighter's vehicle is seen as flames advance along the Western Divide Highway during the SQF Complex Fires near Camp Nelson, California, on Sept. 14, 2020. David McNew/Getty Images
“We’re able to have them, through our partnership, come work with us and help us with the unprecedented fire situation,” Scardina said. “We’re proud to have them here and thank them for coming to help us.”
“Fires do not have borders, fires do not have different languages and cultures,” added Eduardo Cruz, CONAFOR’s director. “In the end we all speak the same language when it comes to fighting fire.”
A firefighter watches flames advance along the Western Divide Highway during the SQF Complex Fires near Camp Nelson, California, on Sept. 14, 2020. David McNew/Getty Images
The SQF Complex Fires have been raging since mid-August. According to InciWeb, these fires were ignited by lightning and have so far scorched over 144,850 acres of land. Many Tulare County residents have been forced to evacuate their homes. At the time of writing, the SQF Complex Fires are only 39 percent contained.
It is by no means the only fire that continues to decimate the West Coast.
At least 25 major fires are burning across California at large, covering over 3.6 million acres of land, making it the worst wildfire season in the state’s recorded history, according to a California statewide fire summary on Sept. 25 by Cal Fire.
A firefighter douses flames as they push towards homes during the Creek Fire in the Cascadel Woods area of unincorporated Madera County, California, on Sept. 7, 2020. JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images
Besides the 100-strong team from Guadalajara, Canada is also lending its resources to the wildfire relief effort in response to a request made through the NIFC. A total of 291 fire specialists across several Canadian provinces were deployed to West Coast wildfire sites over the weekend of Sept. 19 and 20, NIFC reported.
The Canadians supplied a number of “highly requested fire suppression resources,” including 5 agency representatives, 8 helicopter managers, 24 task force leaders, 18 fire engines, 3 heavy equipment bosses, 15 division supervisors, and 9 type-1 handcrews.
The agency maintains that the United States has successfully shared resources with both Mexico and Canada during peak fire activity for 35 years.
A community of forest homes lies in ruins along Auberry Road in the Meadow Lakes area after the Creek Fire swept through Shaver Lake, California, on Sept. 8, 2020. David McNew/Getty Images
“We continue to experience above-normal fire activity in California, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, and other states,” Ken Schmid, from the Bureau of Land Management Fire Operations, explained.
“Thankfully, our Department of Defense and international partners are able to support us in this time of need,” he continued, “as wildfire activity will likely carry on for the foreseeable future, particularly in California.”
Firefighters keep watch near Mount Wilson Observatory as the Bobcat Fire burns in nearby Angeles National Forest near Pasadena, Calif., on Sept. 16, 2020. Mario Tama/Getty Images
We would love to hear your stories! You can share them with us at [email protected]
Louise Chambers
Author
Louise Chambers is a writer, born and raised in London, England. She covers inspiring news and human interest stories.
