The governor of California announced Sunday the deployment of additional California National Guard (CalGuard) members to join the state’s “all-in” response to the Los Angeles fires.
Gov. Gavin Newsom increased the number of personnel activated from the CalGuard to 2,500 yesterday, with the full deployment expected to be complete by today. They are supporting wildfire suppression operations, public safety — including traffic control points, and providing aviation resources, according to a press release.
“The men and women of the California National Guard have been on the ground since day one – not only fighting fires, but also assisting with public safety efforts in communities devastated by these fires. We thank them for their efforts to keep our communities safe,” Newsom stated in the release.
Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh spoke Friday of additional military resources aiding the response, including “10 Navy helicopters with water delivery buckets to immediately assist with aerial suppression,” eight equipped C-130 aircraft, and 500 active-duty personnel from Camp Pendleton, California, who will “support requests from federal and state authorities with route clearance, commodity distribution, search and rescue, rotary wing, airlift, and general support as requested.”
At the time of reporting, the Southern California death toll rose to 24. Preliminary estimates of total damage and economic loss is $250 billion to $275 billion, according to AccuWeather.
In response, the following local, state and national resources are available, many specifically geared toward the military community:
- Dogs on Deployment’s “Hero Pet Boarding Network” offers pet care to military members, first responders, veterans and DoD boarders during natural disasters.
- Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veteran Affairs has a “Veteran Peer Access Network” that can help locate temporary and permanent housing for veterans and their families, as well as food, childcare, transportation and financial assistance.
- The Air Force Aid Society gives no-interest loans to airmen and guardians struggling from the effects of natural disasters.
- Active duty or retired sailors and Marines, as well as their families, can utilize emergency funds for gas, lodging and food from the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.
- Need to get out of California in a hurry? Army Emergency Relief is now offering full grants for emergency airfare travel up to $2,000 within the continental U.S. and up to $4,000 outside of it. Remaining costs beyond those caps will be offered as zero-interest loans.
- The Red Cross is offering shelter spaces (including overnights) and assistance locating lost loved ones. Find your nearest shelter on the free Red Cross emergency app or call 1-800-REDCROSS (800-733-2767).
- Military OneSource can help military families know how to talk to their children about natural disasters, account for yourself post-fire and find a host of government resources.
- Service members assigned to Los Angeles Air Force Base who have been evacuated from their off-base homes are eligible for a free one-week stay at participating AirBnBs. Visit 211LA for further information and to apply.
- Civilian employees at Los Angeles Air Force Base can call the base’s Employee Assistance Program at 866-580-9078 for financial and legal service assistance.
- For an extensive list of shelter locations, emergency assistance programs, emergency supplies and animal evacuation options, see the VA’s Wildfire Assistance Resources
- Get help with applying for FEMA assistance, filing for insurance claims, viewing real-time traffic maps and air quality updates, information on power shutoffs, monitoring ongoing fires and more at the state of California’s official “2025 Los Angeles Fires” website. The state also has a specific resource website for veterans affected by the blazes.
If you are an agency offering support and resources to those affected by the Southern California wildfires, and would like to be added to this list, please submit your details to: editor@usmilitarypublishing.com
