Colorado is sending resources to help California crews fighting wildfires near Los Angeles, state and local officials said this week.
California requested one of Colorado’s two to assist with firefighting, and the plane took off Wednesday from Centennial Airport, according to the The two are Pilatus PC-12 airplanes equipped with infrared and color-sensing technology to detect and provide reconnaissance on wildfires, which helps ground crews attack the fires.
Major wildfires — including the Palisades, Eaton, Hurst and Kenneth fires — are burning near Los Angeles, fueled by powerful Santa Ana winds. At least 11 people have been killed and tens of thousands were under evacuation orders as of Friday night,
Firefighters and equipment have also been dispatched to California by local fire departments in Colorado. Aurora, Boulder, Colorado Springs and Mountain View Fire Rescue all announced they are sending four-man crews with fire engines to help battle the flames. Mountain View Fire Rescue provides fire and emergency medical services to approximately 250 square miles of Boulder, Dacono, Erie, Mead, Niwot, Superior and unincorporated areas of Boulder and Weld counties.
“Upon arrival, there is the potential for the engines to spend up to two weeks helping with fire suppression and any other needs determined by the incident,” Boulder Fire-Rescue wrote in a news release Friday. “With our crew, Boulder Fire-Rescue sends our sympathies for the loss of life and the loss of property that has already occurred because of the fires.”
This is a developing story and may be updated.
