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What you need to know: Governor Gavin Newsom today announced an additional 1,000 California National Guard service members are joining the all-in state response to the Los Angeles fires.
Los Angeles, California - Governor Gavin Newsom today announced he has increased California National Guard personnel activated to support the response efforts to a total of about 2,500 service members - up 1,000 personnel from yesterday. CalGuard service members are fighting fires and ensuring the public safety of communities, joining the thousands of personnel deployed to combat the hurricane-force firestorm in Los Angeles.
The men and women of the California National Guard have been on the ground since day one - not only fighting fires, but also assisting with public safety efforts in communities devastated by these fires. We thank them for their efforts to keep our communities safe. - Governor Gavin Newsom
Deployed CalGuard service members include Military Police Forces, the law enforcement branch of the CalGuard, stationed at traffic control points to ensure the safety of the surrounding community. Additional service members are supporting wildfire suppression operations, through the CalGuard’s Task Force Rattlesnake, additional handcrews training at Camp Roberts, and aviation resources.
The increased deployment is expected to be complete by Monday.
Since the start of the hurricane-force wind event in Southern California, state resources were prepositioned to provide rapid-attack capabilities. In the days following the firestorm, the state has continued to work with local, state, out-of-state and international partners to augment response efforts.
State’s all-in response
With this newest deployment, California has mobilized more than 15,000+ personnel including firefighters, guard service members, highway patrol officers and transportation teams to support the ongoing firefight.
In addition, these response efforts include more than 1,700 pieces of firefighting apparatus, including 1,350+ engines, 80+ aircraft, 150+ dozers and 160+ water tenders to aid in putting out the fires.
On Tuesday, Governor Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency and he subsequently issued an executive order to support communities affected by the ongoing fires. Text of the executive order is available here. On Wednesday, President Biden quickly approved Governor Newsom’s request for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration to support ongoing response efforts. The state also received continued federal assistance to combat the Hurst, Eaton, and Palisades Fires.
Get help today
Californians can go to CA.gov/LAfires – a hub for information and resources from state, local and federal government.
Individuals and business owners who sustained losses from wildfires in Los Angeles County can apply for disaster assistance: