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Mexico Sends Firefighters to Help L.A. Wildfire Effort; 1,000 Incarcerated Firefighters Battling Blazes

HeadlineJan 13, 2025

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has sent a team of Mexican firefighters to Los Angeles. Laura Vázquez Alzúa is the head of Mexico’s Civil Protection.

Laura Vázquez Alzúa: “We will stay as long as necessary. We will support in a spirit of solidarity and with all our experience and commitment to the people of California.”

As of Friday, nearly 1,000 incarcerated firefighters had also been deployed to help fight the L.A. fires. According to state officials, the incarcerated firefighters are paid a daily rate of between $5.80 to $10.24. Meanwhile, many wealthy residents in Los Angeles are hiring private firefighters who cost as much as $2,000 an hour to protect their property.

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