In the Bel Air neighborhood, where homes average $3.7 million, crews are prepared to defend against potential flare-ups caused by predicted winds of up to 60 miles per hour.

Col. Brian Diehl, commander of the 153rd Airlift Wing, expressed pride in supporting efforts to combat the wildfires and restore normalcy to affected communities.

Over 1,850 National Guard members have been deployed to assist in combating these fires, showcasing a robust response to the crisis.

In response to ongoing wildfires in Southern California, a significant firefighting operation has been mobilized, following the deployment of five crews the previous week.

As of mid-January 2025, three major fires are actively burning in Los Angeles: the Palisades fire, Eaton fire, and Hurst fire, with varying containment levels.

The California Air National Guard has contributed two additional C-130 aircraft to the firefighting efforts, increasing the total number of aircraft involved.

Joining the mission, a fourth C-130 from a U.S. Air Force Reserve unit in Colorado Springs and two C-130s from the Nevada Air National Guard have been deployed.

These aircraft are equipped with Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems (MAFFS), which allow them to release up to 3,000 gallons of fire retardant in under five seconds.

Governor Jared Polis has expressed condolences for those impacted by the fires and reaffirmed Colorado's commitment to assist California, reflecting on the shared challenges of wildfires.

Mike Morgan, Director of the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention & Control, emphasized the importance of collaboration in wildfire response across the Western states.

MAFFS were developed in 1971 as a collaboration between the U.S. Forest Service and the Department of Defense to enhance national firefighting capabilities.

Due to limited cell phone coverage in the field, updates from deployed crews are infrequent as they focus on protecting lives and structures.