California Pre-Deploys Over a Dozen Firefighting Resources to Los Angeles County Ahead of Heatwave

SACRAMENTO – At the direction of Governor Gavin Newsom, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) has approved the pre-deployment of significant firefighting resources to Los Angeles County. This proactive measure comes in response to elevated heat and critical fire weather conditions forecasted to impact Southern California from Wednesday through Saturday. The move aims to enhance the state's readiness and minimize the potential impact of new wildfires.

The pre-deployment includes a total of 10 fire engines, two water tenders, two bulldozers, one helicopter, two hand crews, three dispatchers, and one Incident Management Team. These assets are strategically positioned to ensure rapid response times and to contain any potential fires before they escalate. This approach is a critical component of California's broader wildfire response strategy.

According to the National Weather Service, the impending heat event carries a "high risk for heat illness and fire danger." California's new CalHeatScore tool further indicates that much of the state will experience high and severe levels of extreme heat later this week. Governor Newsom emphasized the importance of preparation, stating, > "Extreme summer weather is returning to California this week. Now is the time to check the forecasts for your area and prepare for higher temperatures and dangerous fire weather."

Cal OES Director Nancy Ward underscored the strategic rationale behind the pre-positioning. > "By prepositioning firefighting crews, equipment, and other resources in high-risk areas, we can respond faster and more effectively when needed," Ward explained. She added that this strategy is fundamentally about "protecting lives, property, and communities by ensuring help is ready when it’s needed most."

CAL FIRE Chief Joe Tyler confirmed that CAL FIRE remains fully staffed and prepared statewide, anticipating increased temperatures and committing to safeguarding communities. Residents in affected areas are strongly urged to remain vigilant, prepare a wildfire action plan including evacuation routes, and pack a "go-bag" with essentials. Signing up for local emergency alerts is also advised to stay informed about rapidly changing conditions.