• California’s National Guard faces critical understaffing in wildfire response as federal deployment continues for immigration protest duties. State officials urge President Trump to return troops to address mounting fire risks amidst a challenging fire season.

LOS ANGELES, CA (TDR) — California’s National Guard commander has requested the return of 200 federally deployed troops to combat severe understaffing in wildfire response units. The appeal comes as wildfire risks in the region escalate and the level of immigration-related unrest in Los Angeles subsides.

Federal Deployment Impacts Wildfire Response Readiness

California Governor Gavin Newsom has been vocal in his calls for the federal government to return National Guard troops to state control. These troops were originally deployed as part of federal efforts to manage protests sparked by surprise immigration raids earlier this year. According to Governor Newsom’s office, the Guard’s specialized firefighting unit, Task Force Rattlesnake, is operating at just 40% of its regular capacity.

“We’re glad to see the top military commander overseeing Trump’s illegal militarization of Los Angeles agree: it’s time to pull back National Guard troops and get them back to their critical firefighting duties,” Newsom said in a Monday statement.

Rising Fire Risks Across Southern California

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Wildfire threats across Southern California are intensifying, with multiple fires already burning in Riverside County. The Wolf Fire and Juniper Fire have collectively scorched over 3,000 acres as of Monday afternoon, according to officials from California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Experts have warned that the region’s below-average rainfall this year may lead to an especially severe fire season.

Task Force Rattlesnake, comprising 300 National Guard members trained for wildfire prevention and suppression, has been severely impacted by federal deployments. Eight of the task force’s 14 firefighting crews were redirected to Los Angeles for protest-related duties, leaving Governor Newsom concerned about the state’s capacity to respond to fires.

“The federalization of the Guard has already affected firefighting efforts, leaving Cal Fire to step in and fill the gaps,” Newsom said.

Military Leadership Seeks Redeployment

General Gregory Guillot, head of the Guard’s U.S. Northern Command, has initiated discussions with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to return 200 troops to California command. However, the final decision rests with the adjutant general of the California National Guard. The California Military Department has not yet disclosed where these troops might be redeployed if the request is approved.

Balancing Federal and State Priorities

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The request highlights the challenges of balancing federal and state priorities during periods of overlapping crises. While the deployment of more than 4,000 National Guard troops to address unrest in Los Angeles was intended to restore order, the decreased need for protest response has opened the door for state officials to reallocate resources.

Legal battles are ongoing, with California continuing to challenge the legality of President Trump’s federalization of state resources. Meanwhile, officials stress the urgency of addressing the wildfire staffing shortfall as peak fire season looms.

The decision on troop redeployment remains pending, but the urgency of the wildfire crisis underscores the need for swift action. Share your thoughts and join the discussion below.

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