Wildfires tearing through the Los Angeles area have killed at least 24 people, displaced thousands of others and destroyed more than 12,000 structures since they started on Jan. 7.
Cal Fire reported that the Palisades, Eaton, Kenneth and Hurst fires have consumed about 62 square miles and there are more than 20,000 emergency personnel responding.
Several VERIFY readers asked us if it’s true that the Los Angeles mayor declined New York City’s offer to send firefighters to California, as some headlines have claimed.
THE QUESTION
Did Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass decline New York City’s offer to help fight the wildfires?
THE SOURCES
- A spokesperson for California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office and Jan. 11 press release
THE ANSWER
No, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass didn’t decline New York City’s offer to help fight the wildfires.
WHAT WE FOUND
Officials in California and New York City debunked claims Los Angeles rejected offers of aid from the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) during the ongoing wildfires…