This past week has been devastating for the people of Southern California. Wildfires in the Los Angeles area have wreaked havoc on people and communities including some of our own employees, several of whom have been forced to evacuate their homes. On Tuesday and Wednesday, with National Fire Director Sarah Fisher, I met with employees on the Angeles National Forest, in the Southern California Geographic Coordination Center (South Ops) and the South Zone Fire Cache.  

Those of us who have seen the devastation caused by natural disasters know that you never forget the sites you see and the stories you hear, especially those of people who have lost friends or family members or are still searching for missing loved ones. Yet, in the face of loss—of homes, of livelihoods and, most heartbreakingly, of lives, I have seen an equally profound force: our unyielding commitment, compassion and professionalism. Our employees and partners have stepped up in extraordinary ways. Some, despite being personally affected by the wildfires, continue to serve their communities with tireless dedication. The light they bring into dark moments reminds me of our incredible strength when we work together.

Even those who do not live in California are feeling the effects of these fires. As someone with family who lost homes, I know what it feels like to be directly affected by them although I am across the country. Yet those of you on the ground continue to step up. The American people depend on us, the Forest Service, during the most difficult times, and we deliver no matter the circumstances.  

While on the Angeles National Forest, I met with engine crews and initial attack personnel. I was moved by the pride they take in the hours of training necessary to be prepared, night or day, to respond to wildfires. Their comradery, respect for one another, and sense of responsibility to their local communities and neighbors is invaluable. They know the Angeles inside and out and make sure that firefighters who come from across the country to work with them understand the difficulties of suppressing fires in that area.  

Visiting employees at South Ops and the South Zone Cache reminded me of the tremendous coordination and support their interagency employees provide, working side by side with CAL FIRE, California’s Office of Emergency Services, and county and city officials. They provide vital support to our firefighting efforts, bringing in additional resources and supplying thousands of people on the ground with the information and equipment they need.  

The Los Angeles community will be forever changed by these events, as will many of our employees. We’ll be there to help get them through this difficult recovery. Every act of kindness, every moment of service, every sacrifice—large or small—matters. Together, we will do what we always do. We will help our employees and communities find their footing and work toward recovery. For those most impacted by these events, this work will not be easy. In support we have activated a Critical Incident Stress Management Team, the Casualty Assistance Program and the Federal Firefighter Health and Wellbeing Program in addition to the services available through the Employee Assistance Program. Find these resources here.  

I couldn’t be prouder of every single employee who is working on the efforts related to the Los Angeles fires. Whether you are sitting in front of a computer, working in a dispatch center, at the cache, at South Ops, or wearing boots on the ground, I thank you for everything you’re doing day and night to support the people in California. You are part of the reason why America has such a high degree of trust in the Forest Service and why the American people understand how the work we do is critically important to the nation we serve. Thank you and please continue to take care of yourselves and each other.

Note: If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.  

Additional information

• 988 Lifeline

  • Dial or text 988 anytime, from anywhere in the U.S., if you need support. The 988 Lifeline provides free, confidential support for people in distress. You can also call 988 if you are worried about someone else.

• Disaster Distress Hotline

  • Call or text 1-800-985-5990. The Disaster Distress Hotline is a national hotline dedicated to providing year-round crisis counseling for disaster responders and anyone affected by a disaster. This free, multilingual crisis support service is available 24/7 to anyone in the U.S. and its territories who is experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.

• Joint Federal Firefighter Health and Wellbeing Program (Forest Service/Department of the Interior)

  • For additional resources, visit the program website.

• California wildfire resources

  • USA.gov has a list of resources related to disaster response, disaster recovery and more. 

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