TALLAHSSEE, Fla. — Florida is offering California manpower and resources to battle wildfires in the Los Angeles County area.

What You Need To Know

  • Florida is offering manpower, including firefighters and mental health experts to California

  • Wildfires in the region are damaging structures and displacing thousands

  • Florida and California share a long history of offering support amid states of emergency

“When disaster strikes, we must come together to help our fellow Americans in any way we can,” posted Gov. Ron DeSantis Wednesday on X.

It’s estimated the blazes have destroyed more than 1,000 structures and claimed at least two lives. Meanwhile, more than 80,000 people have evacuated the area.

State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis says Florida is positioned to offer California a variety of resources, including firefighters and mental health experts.

“We come out and we’ll pinch hit and will provide the same type of services,” said Patronis, noting local first responders are often unable to tend to their own needs amid a disaster.

Despite a political rivalry between DeSantis and Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom, both men have offered one another help in states of emergency.

California deployed manpower and resources to Florida in 2021 following the Surfside Condo Collapse.

Patronis said conversations with California officials are ongoing as of Wednesday afternoon.

California officials, meanwhile, are struggling to contain the multiple fires, noting factors such as dry ground and high winds that spread hot embers throughout the region.