A strike team of firefighters from across North Texas left for L.A. County over the weekend. Photo: Courtesy of Dallas Fire-Rescue
North Texas firefighters are among thousands of personnel battling wildfires that have killed 24 people and burned homes, businesses and schools in the Los Angeles area.
The big picture: About 60 square miles have burned in Los Angeles County in the past week. By comparison, Frisco spans around 70 square miles.
The Palisades fire alone had burned close to 37 square miles as of yesterday. By comparison, the city of Grapevine is 32 square miles.
What they're doing: TheDallas, Greenville, Allen, Frisco and McKinney fire departments are among dozens of agencies that have deployed help to high-priority areas in southern California, per Dallas Fire-Rescue.
Six Dallas firefighters arrived in the Los Angeles area yesterday, bringing with them a specialized fire engine designed to handle rural and wildland fires.
Four of them will help with the fire and 911 response and two will offer medical support, per DFR spokesperson Susy Solis.
They will be in the region up to two weeks and can stay longer if needed.
The intrigue: Dallas' wildland team has helped with at least three other wildfires in California in recent years, Solis tells Axios.
Members are trained to tackle wildfires in hazardous environments, including steep terrain and high temperatures.
Zoom out: Hundreds of prisoners are also helping fight the fires as part of a practice that has long been criticized because of the low pay and risk involved.
How to help: NBC News has these tips for helping the fire victims and avoiding scammers.
