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Cal Fire issues apology for snubbing AZ fire crews
Arizonans were upset after Cal Fire posted to X, thanking all neighboring governments besides Arizona for sending assistance to fight the raging wildfires in southern California.
PHOENIX - Cal Fire twice posted on their X account a list of neighboring states and provinces that have sent aid to put out the destructive fires in Southern California that have ravaged the area in past week.
The second post by the agency included thanks for departments from Mexico and Canada, but notably left Arizona off its list again.
Arizona fire crews, however, have been tirelessly helping assist firefighting efforts in the area for days now.
A 78-member crew from the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management was sent to California on Jan. 9 and on Jan. 8, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said crews were called to help battle the fires and would be on the ground in Los Angeles.
Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren announced a 23 member crew, some from Arizona, also were sent to help battle the fires.
READ MORE: Navajo Scouts deploy to battle California wildfires
Arizona Forestry sent a separate statement regarding the steps they've taken to provide assistance in California:
The State of California sent out orders nationwide requesting resources and Arizona was one of the first to answer the call. In fact, two of our four task forces were deployed to California prior to the fires, in advance of the incoming, critical fire weather. We will always help our neighbors in need whether they include us on a map or not. We know why we are there and that's to help the residents of California. And to us, that's all that matters.
FOX 10 has reached out to Cal Fire to find out why they left Arizona out of its appreciation posts and they said they will look into the matter.
They later acknowledged the omission in a separate post that thanked Arizona firefighters separately.
The devastating fires in California have left 11 people killed and nearly 12,000 structures destroyed in its wake.
Evacuation orders are still in effect for much of Los Angeles County.
The Palisades Fire is burning for the fifth straight day and has charred 22,660 acres and claimed the lives of five people.
Eight deaths were confirmed due to the Eaton Fire, which officials have said burned more than 7,000 structures.
California fires latest: More evacuations ordered; 11 killed
The Los Angeles area is waking up to a fifth day of wildfires after a massive flare-up of the Palisades fire forced more evacuations Friday night.
The Los Angeles Fire Department Chief has been requesting more resources from the state and outside entities and said the department is not properly funded to deal with the damage.
"My message is the fire department needs to be properly funded," Chief Kristin Crowley said to reporters. "It's not."
According to Los Angeles City Controller Kenneth Mejia, the city cut the LAFD's funding by $17.6 million in the 2025 fiscal year, which started on July 1, 2024. Compared to the city's other departments, the LAFD saw the second-largest cut.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said the budget cuts did not impact the city’s response to the wildfires, but Crowley disagreed.
California Governor Gavin Newsome has called for an investigation into the cause of the fires.