California National Guard Deploys to Secure Fire Areas

Hundreds of members of the California National Guard were deployed to the Los Angeles area Thursday to assist with law enforcement duties around the array of wildfires burning in the region.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said roughly 400 members of the Guard would be stationed around the region to help with traffic control and to restrict entry into the fire zones. He announced earlier in the day that 20 people had been arrested on suspicion of looting in the various burn areas.

Gov. Gavin Newsom confirmed late Thursday that he had approved the National Guard deployment.

“Thanks to the incredible work of our first responders and emergency personnel, we’re throwing everything at our disposal — including our National Guard servicemembers — to protect communities in the days to come,” Newsom said in a statement. “And to those who would seek to take advantage of evacuated communities, let me be clear: looting will not be tolerated.”

According to the governor’s office, the Guard members “will be stationed at traffic control points to ensure the safety of the surrounding community. In addition, their support helps build capacity of local law enforcement to support their respective areas.”