For the past month, wildfires have raged across the Pacific Northwest and Southwest. To combat the fires, Mexico has sent 100 firefighters across the border, five teams of 20, to assist American firefighters. The firefighters were sent to Sequoia National Park in Central California, which is currently being threatened by the SQF (Sequoia Fire) complex. The fire, which was only 65% contained as of October 5th, has caused an evacuation order and destroyed 232 structures in Tulare County. 

“Fires do not have borders, fires do not have different languages and cultures,” says Eduardo Cruz, director of CONAFOR, “In the end we all speak the same language when it comes to fighting fire.” CONAFOR, the National Forestry Commission of Mexico, is working with the U.S Forest Service to fight the wildfires. Presently, Mexico is going through its rainy season, allowing the country to temporarily part with its own firefighters and provide aid to other countries.

California isn’t the only state that has been sent firefighters from Mexico. In a report by a local newspaper in Guanajuato, Mexico, Mayor Alejandro Navarro said that those affected by the fire were in Guanajuato’s thoughts and prayers and if necessary, he would take action. 

On September 10th, Guanajuato sent a team of five volunteer firefighters, alongside the Mayor, to quell the wildfires currently plaguing its sister city, Ashland, Oregon. Mayor Alejandro Navarro tweeted “muy conmovidos por el terrible impacto del fuego en las familias y sus hogares. [Translation: Very moved by the terrible impact of the fire on the families and their homes.]” 

The Rogue Valley, the Southern Oregon region where Ashland is based, appreciates the assistance firefighters from Mexico have provided to both residents and American firefighters. Fortunately, the Oregon wildfires have slowed down significantly, but residents are still recovering from the loss of their homes, family, and personal belongings. 

The Pacific Northwest wildfires have impacted American communities like never before and have even been described as “record-breaking” and “historic”. Despite the destruction, towns, cities, and countries have worked together to halt the spread and as a result, bonds between people across borders have strengthened.