President Claudia Sheinbaum said Friday that Mexico was sending a team of firefighters and military personnel to Los Angeles to support the fight against the devastating fires.
“We’re going to send a support team to Los Angeles,” she told reporters at her morning press conference.
She said the team is made up of National Forestry Commission firefighters and Ministry of Defense disaster relief workers.
Sheinbaum said that the decision to send the team to Los Angeles came after Foreign Affairs Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente spoke with U.S. and California government officials.
She said that the members of the team are completing the relevant immigration paperwork in order to enter the United States.
“We’re going to help, not just because the people and government of Mexico have always been generous, but also because there are a lot of Mexicans in this part of the United States,” Sheinbaum said.
“So we’re going to send a team, [the U.S. authorities] were very grateful and we’re doing the migratory paperwork that has to be done so they can arrive,” she said.
Fires across Los Angeles County had damaged or destroyed thousands of structures and claimed at least 10 lives as of Friday morning, according to officials in the U.S.
Firefighters have made some progress in containing the blazes, but “much of Los Angeles County remains under a red flag warning through Friday night,” according to the Los Angeles Times.
There have been no reports of any Mexicans having lost their lives due to the wildfires that have burned tens of thousands of acres in different areas of Los Angeles.
Mexico’s Consul General in Los Angeles advised any Mexicans who have been affected by the fires and require assistance to contact the Mexican Consulate.
“In case of requiring support or official information contact us on telephone 213-219-0175,” Carlos González Gutiérrez said in a video message on Thursday night.
He also advised Mexicans to obtain information about the fires only from “official sources” and to prepare an evacuation plan and a “kit” containing their essential documents such as passports.
With reports from La Jornada and El Universal
Thank you all for coming together ❤️
¡Gracias!
As Mexico lends a helping hand, DJT gets his team ready for the cruel ” mass” deportation. Sad!!
Facts!!
I am a subscriber to MND, I live in L.A., very happy to know that the Mexican firefighters are coming to L.A. Bienvenidos!
¡Gracias for su apoyo!
So many will be out of work. Gardeners, housekeepers… It doesn’t just affect the wealthy homeowners.
I’m so grateful to live in a country with these wonderful values. Thank you Mexico, for everything
Dios los bendiga 🙏🏻😊
Mexico does not have to justify why they are helping, just the fact they says it all! We had the same response when British Columbia was also in dire need and they were there then as well with no asking! Those if us living here anywhere in Mexico are well aware of the kinship we have with Mexico! Gracias, este bien, mantengase a salvo!
👍🏽👍🏽
Mexican firefighters have helped with Canadian wildfires too. So grateful. Canadian fire water bombers are down in California helping to douse the flames as well. Will Trump even notice; this is what good neighbours do?
Wish they would have come sooner. We are going to need help rebuilding too. Trump no doubt will say otherwise but Mejicanos work harder at rebuilding and cleaning than anyone else.
Wish they would have come sooner. We are going to need help rebuilding too. Trump no doubt will say otherwise but Mejicanos work harder at rebuilding and cleaning than anyone else.
Mexicanos al grito de auxilio. Lending a helping hand to our brothers in need. We set aside all differences and come together as one. Sons and daughters of the same creator. The essence of a true Mexican is this. We never remember who we gave to, but never forget who gave to us. Viva Mexico Señores! Long live the USA!!
Stay Safe!!!
Thank you President Sheinbaum for helping us. I’m a California resident and used to live in the valley area outside of Los Angeles. Even though I’m not near the terrible fires now, I’m very grateful that you are sending us your firefighters.
I also wanted your Nation’s people to know that I did not vote for the incoming president. I’m sorry. He will never be my president.
. . . thus you voted for the LA mayor, and the current Governor . . . literally the “local folks” on the ground who could have focused on keeping the citizens of the state safe, but chose otherwise and are blaming others, just like you are blaming others . . .
Mucha gracias presidenta Claudia por El apoyo, se le agradese de todo corazon. Siga adelante con ese deseo que usted tiene de sacar a Mexico adelante,used lo puede aser. Y nuevamente gracias por ser tan human y mandar a ese gran equipo.