The ongoing wildfires in California, particularly in Los Angeles County, have reached catastrophic levels, displacing nearly 180,000 residents and causing extensive damage to communities. As of January 2025, these fires have resulted in at least 24 fatalities and destroyed or damaged over 12,400 structures.
The offer by the Ukrainian president comes three days after Donald Trump Jr, son of US President-elect Donald Trump, responded to the Los Angeles wildfires by appearing to blame Ukraine on social media. โOh look, of course, the LA fire department donated a bunch of their supplies to Ukraine,โ Trump Jr said in a post on X on 8 January.
If deployed, Ukrainian firefighters would join those sent by Canada and Mexico, who have already converged on the Los Angeles area to help fire departments from around the state, even as Trump has threatened to levy tariffs against both countries.
On Sunday, Zelenskyy said in a post on X: โToday, I instructed Ukraineโs minister of internal affairs and our diplomats to prepare for the possible participation of our rescuers in combating the wildfires in California.
โThe situation there is extremely difficult, and Ukrainians can help Americans save lives. This is currently being coordinated, and we have offered our assistance to the American side through the relevant channels. 150 of our firefighters are already prepared.โ
Firefighters managed to make progress on several smaller fires in southern California over the weekend, but two big blazes, the Palisades fire and the Eaton fire, are yet to be contained after burning for six days straight.
The wildfires have reduced entire Los Angeles neighborhoods to ash, killing at least 16 people and forcing more than 150,000 to evacuate. The governor of California, Gavin Newsom, said the fires could be the most devastating natural disaster in US history.
Strengthening winds threaten to expand the swath of destruction through Los Angeles in the coming days.
On Saturday morning, Mexicoโs President Claudia Sheinbaum wrote on X: โThe humanitarian aid group is leaving for Los Angeles, California,โ alongside photos of firefighters holding the flags of Mexico and California and standing on the runway in front of two planes. โWe are a country of generosity and solidarity,โ she added.
Newsom thanked Mexico in a message on X posted on Friday after the deployment was announced. โCalifornia is deeply grateful for President Sheinbaumโs support as we work to suppress the Los Angeles wildfires,โ he wrote.
Crews from California and nine other states are part of the ongoing response that includes nearly 1,400 fire engines, 84 aircraft and more than 14,000 personnel, including those from Mexico.
Hundreds of inmates from Californiaโs prison system were also helping firefighting efforts. Nearly 950 incarcerated firefighters were dispatched โto cut fire lines and remove fuel to slow fire spread,โ according to an update from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Though the state has long relied on prison labor to fight fires, the practice is controversial as the inmates are paid little for dangerous and difficult work.
Provide Supplies
In addition to financial contributions, many organizations are accepting donations of physical goods. Items that are especially needed include:
- Non-perishable food items
- Water bottles
- Clothing and blankets
- Personal hygiene products
- First aid supplies
Contact local shelters or relief organizations to find out what specific items they need most urgently.
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