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Members of California’s specialized wildfire-fighting unit have resumed firefighting operations after being reassigned to Los Angeles duties. At the same time, approximately 5,000 military personnel remain federally deployed in the city, state officials announced.
The wildfire unit, known as Joint Task Force Rattlesnake, comprises over 300 National Guard personnel who collaborate with state fire agencies on fire prevention and suppression activities, including vegetation clearing, firebreak construction, and frontline response. Officials report that more than half of these teams were redirected to L.A. operations under federal orders, leaving wildfire response capabilities at 40% strength during active fire season.
The federal deployment stems from President Donald Trump’s decision to place California National Guard units under federal control for immigration enforcement activities in L.A. Federal officials cite protection of government personnel and facilities as the mission’s primary objective. Current deployment numbers include roughly 4,000 California National Guard troops and 700 Marine personnel in the metropolitan area.
Many deployed Guard members maintain civilian employment during non-military periods. State data indicates the federalized personnel work in various sectors: 385 in medical and emergency response fields, 370 in service industries, 361 in construction and contracting, 355 in law enforcement and corrections, 170 in technology sectors, 158 in government and civil service, 158 in education, and 97 in agricultural work.
The deployment reduced California’s drug interdiction capabilities by approximately one-third, according to state officials. The Counterdrug Task Force normally operates with nearly 450 Guard members across the state, including border entry points, targeting drug trafficking organizations. These operations have yielded significant seizures since 2021, including approximately 31,000 pounds of fentanyl and over 50 million fentanyl-containing pills valued at more than $450 million.
Gov. Gavin Newsom requested troop withdrawal and challenged the deployment through legal channels. “Letting a few of them return to fight fires is a step in the right direction, but thousands of soldiers are still being blocked from their real work as police officers, paramedics, summer school teachers, and public servants. It’s time to send them all home,” Newsom stated. Legal proceedings continue following conflicting federal court decisions.
California has strengthened its firefighting infrastructure through recent investments, adding approximately 1,800 permanent and 600 seasonal firefighting positions annually over a five-year period. Recent initiatives include the allocation of $72 million for wildfire risk reduction and the activation of an additional C-130 aircraft for aerial firefighting operations.
The deployment comes as Congress debates cuts to wildfire prevention, healthcare, and public safety. Federal court proceedings regarding deployment authority continue.
