California has deployed Mexican firefighters along with nearly 1,000 inmates to help fight deadly wildfires that have exploded in Los Angeles since last week.
“To date, 939 Fire Camp firefighters have worked around the clock to cut fire lines and remove fuel from behind structures to slow the spread of the fire, including 110 support personnel,” said the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). told NPR Friday.
California has used inmates to fight fires for more than a century, according to the news outlet. CDCR says inmates participate voluntarily in the program and receive compensation of between $5.80 and $10.24 per day.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom also said Friday that Mexican firefighters were on their way to help fight the Eaton wildfire. Newsom did not detail how many people Mexico was sending.
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Newsom has faced criticism in the wake of the wildfires, notably after Newsweek reported that the governor cut funding for wildfires and forest resilience by more than $100 million just months later. early.
Fire crews monitor the Palisades Fire in Mandeville Canyon Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Additionally, Fox News Digital previously reported that state Democratic leaders cut funding for the Los Angeles Fire Department by $17.6 million just months prior.
The death toll from the wildfires rose to 16, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examination. Five of the deaths were attributed to the Palisades Fire and 11 to the Eaton Fire.
A man walks past the burning Altadena Community Church, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in downtown Altadena in Pasadena, California. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, file)
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As of Saturday evening, the Palisades, Eaton, Kenneth and Hurst fires had consumed about 62 square miles, an area larger than San Francisco, Cal Fire said. The Palisades and Eaton fires — the two largest wildfires — have burned 59 square miles so far.
A firefighter battles the Palisades Fire in Mandeville Canyon Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Firefighters are still working to contain the Palisades and Eaton fires. Cal Fire reported containment of the Palisades Fire at 11% and the Eaton Fire at 15% Saturday evening.
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With the battle expected to continue, firefighters are bracing for a new wave of strong winds expected from Monday, emergency services said.
Alexandra Koch and Aubrie Spady of Fox News Digital and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
