28-01-2025
NM firefighters come back after two-week deployment in LA County
Jan. 27—New Mexico firefighters returned home Sunday after helping battle the inferno in Southern California for a few weeks.
Albuquerque Fire Rescue was part of a Strike Team that went to Los Angeles County to battle the fires that broke out on Jan. 7.
The team, comprised of firefighters and resources from AFR, Santa Fe, Bernalillo County, Los Alamos County, and San Juan County, responded to the Palisades Fire in Malibu where they collaborated with CAL Fire "to provide critical structure protection for residential homes, enhance fire breaks, and address hotspots threatening control lines," AFR spokesperson Jason Fejer said.
"Witnessing the extraordinary efforts of air resources and the bravery of hand crews was both inspiring and humbling," he said. "However, the devastation observed was beyond words, leaving the entire team deeply saddened."
The Palisades Fire, the largest of the blazes that destroyed thousands of homes and killed at least 11 people, reached 90% containment Sunday, according to the Associated Press.
"As we reflect on this experience, we are committed to gathering insights for potential improvements to prevent similar wildland-urban interface disasters across the entire state of New Mexico," AFR Lt. Eric De La Torre said in a statement. "We recognize the urgent need to prepare for future threats, motivating us to enhance our readiness for the challenges ahead."
