Support from the Pentagon
The US Department of Defense is set to deploy ten Navy helicopters to California to aid in the battle against the raging fires in the Los Angeles area. According to Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh, the helicopters, identified as Sea Hawks, can be equipped to transport water, making them a valuable asset in the firefighting efforts.
In addition to the helicopters, the Armed Forces are also prepared to provide the California National Guard with four modular aerial firefighting systems. This move comes as part of a broader effort to support California authorities in combating the devastating fires.
Presidential Response
US President Joe Biden has ordered the deployment of air and ground equipment to assist in the firefighting efforts. The equipment includes at least five tanker planes, ten helicopters, and dozens of trucks. This deployment aims to provide critical support to the California authorities as they work to contain the fires.
Scale of the Devastation
The fires have had a significant impact on the Los Angeles area, with nearly 11,000 hectares of land devastated. The five fires currently raging have resulted in two fatalities, a high number of injuries, and the evacuation of approximately 155,000 people. The Palisades and Eaton fires are the largest, with 6,407 hectares and 4,290 hectares burned, respectively. The Eaton fire is where the two fatalities were reported.