ALBUQUERQUE – The New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) announced Thursday that New Mexico firefighters are en route to California to help crews battle the recent surge in wildfires. 

The New Mexico Task Force departed from Albuquerque Fire and Rescue's (AFR) Training Academy Thursday morning with five engines and crews, consisting of 17 total firefighting personnel. Five departments from Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, Los Alamos County and the villages of Angel Fire and Corrales are sending resources as part of the New Mexico Task Force, organized by DHSEM under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), which enables participating states to request or contribute resources to manage and mitigate ongoing emergencies. 

California made an EMAC request for firefighting support after declaring a state of emergency due to elevated wildfire action throughout the state. 

"California needs our help and New Mexico stands ready to provide resources to our sister state during this critical time," said DHSEM Secretary Bianca Ortiz-Wertheim. "We wish our New Mexico crew good luck and pray for the safety of all fire crews and all those responding.”