International Help Arrives to Battle L.A Wildfires

The scorching wildfires in Los Angeles, California, have swept through 39,000 acres, displacing over 153,000 people and killing 11 people. Canada and Mexico are stepping in to help Los Angeles battle the fires.

The fires have also impacted Belizeans living in Los Angeles. The tight-knit Belizean community forms part of the large Caribbean population in Los Angeles. Belizean DJ Easy, who lives close to the affected area, stated, “Everybody’s attention is on this, you know. Everybody wishing the best for everybody because a lot of friends, family, and loved ones are affected directly with this. Never, never had this happened here before.”

Another Belizean, Mirna Reneau, had reported that the fire led to the temporary closure of the university she works at. “UCLA cancelled undergraduate classes due to the fire. Graduate students are remote. It’s moving fast and very devastating,” she said, adding, “We have a lot of Belizeans that are caregivers and they work in these areas.”

On Friday, Canada and Mexico have stepped in with firefighting support. This International assistance comes despite recent tensions between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico over trade issues.

Mexico extended help, with President Claudia Sheinbaum announcing on Friday that firefighters from Mexico’s National Forestry Commission and the National Secretary of Defence would assist. “We are going to send support, not just because the people and government of Mexico have always been generous, but also because there are many Mexican people in this zone of the United States,” she said.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also announced that Canadian teams from British Columbia and Quebec are already on the ground, providing crews, aircraft, and equipment. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith confirmed the deployment of additional resources, including water bombers and night-vision helicopters. 

In response, California Gov. Gavin Newsom stated on X, “California is deeply grateful” for the humanitarian help the state is receiving.