As deadly wildfires spread and thousands of Los Angeles County residents flee for their lives, some brave Americans are heading into danger to fight the flames.
John Mixon, a former U.S. Coast Guard helicopter search and rescue captain, knows the dangers posed to crews fighting fires. Crews resumed operations on Wednesday after suspending operations since Tuesday night.
“There are several different risks involved that are unique to the operations they conduct,” Mixon told FOX News Digital. “One of the most obvious issues is low altitude over hilly terrain in high wind conditions, and they're currently battling that.”
Air crews working to put out wildfires are also grappling with several obstacles. Mixon noted that these crews must also avoid everyday hazards such as other aircraft, terrain and radio towers through the smoke.
Live updates: California wildfires ravage Los Angeles County, kill 5, threaten thousands of homes
On Wednesday, January 8, 2025, a fire broke out in the Hollywood Hills area of Los Angeles. (Jill Connelly/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
In addition to stressful situations, firefighting aircraft operators also have to handle densely populated areas with care. That means navigating how to put out fires while dealing with “not just personal property, but human resources and lives.”
Firefighters respond to destroyed homes after a helicopter sprays water during the Palisades Fire on January 7, 2025. (David Swanson/AFP via Getty Images)
Palisades resident says he lost his home in fire
Despite the high stress of the job, which Mr Mixon admitted was “challenging and extremely dangerous”, he expressed confidence in those battling the devastating fires.
“All the crew members that work on this are very highly trained for a specialized mission,” Mixon said. “This is not a secondary mission for fire personnel from Cal Fire or the Department of Defense or the Forest Service. Just like the U.S. Coast Guard, they conduct their work very professionally. However, they are highly trained for specific tasks.
Firefighters drop the flame retardant Phoscheck as the Palisades Fire burns during powerful storms in Pacific Palisades, California, January 7, 2025. (Tama Mario/Getty Images)
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A devastating wildfire in Los Angeles County has killed five people and forced thousands to evacuate their homes. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom have come under increasing criticism for their response to the disaster. Bass, in particular, has faced backlash not only for being out of the country when the fires started, but also for cutting the city's fire department's budget by $17 million.
On Thursday, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Malone announced that the spread of the Eaton Fire had been “significantly contained.” The wildfire had burned more than 29,000 acres as of midday Thursday, according to the government. cal fire.
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