Wolverine Digest

Jim Harbaugh meets with LAFD first responders as wildfires ravage Los Angeles-area communities

Chris Breiler|
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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On Thursday, the official Twitter/X account for the Chargers released a video of head coach Jim Harbaugh meeting with LAFD first responders as wildfires ravaged Los Angeles-area communities. Harbaugh has expressed his support for the first LA fire department in recent days, even wearing an LAFD hat to show his support for those who are battling the most destructive wildfires in California history.

"Heart goes out, prayers, abundant prayers for all those that have been affected by this tragedy," Harbaugh recently said. "Also just been inspired greatly by the first responders, the firefighters and the residents that have pulled together, had each other's back.

"It's been tremendously inspiring. Abundant prayers and thoughts to all that are in this fight. You see neighbors on top of houses, helping fellow neighbors, it's truly inspiring."

Harbaugh later added: "It's powerful, what we're witnessing. Fellow man, fellow citizens of Los Angeles, it is inspiring the way they've jumped in, the way they've pulled together, doing anything they can to protect their homes, their neighbors homes. Not just their own. It's powerful, It's resonating. I can speak for me, Sarah, my kids and my family, our thoughts and prayers are with all that are in this daily fight."

While crews have worked to contain much of fires, the folks in the Los Angeles area will be dealing with this disaster for months to come. Here are some quick facts about the California wildfires, via NBC News:

  • Santa Ana winds have died down across the Greater Los Angeles area, helping firefighters bring almost 40,000 acres of ongoing wildfires under control.
  • The fires have killed at least 27 people and swept through residential communities, destroying more than 12,300 structures and forcing thousands of people to evacuate. See maps of the fire areas and evacuation zones.
  • The causes of the fires remain unknown, but investigators are focusing on a specific scorched slope to discover the origins of the largest blaze, the Palisades Fire. The Palisades Fire is 22% contained, and the Eaton Fire is 55% contained.
  • Attention has already turned to the vast cleanup and restoration effort that will follow, with California Gov. Gavin Newsom promising a Marshall Plan-style rebuilding effort that could cost tens of billions of dollars.
  • Dangerous fire conditions are expected to return next week, the National Weather Service warned.

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Chris Breiler
CHRIS BREILER

Christopher Breiler launched Winged Helmet Media and began covering the Michigan Football program in an unofficial capacity in 2017. He then joined Wolverine Digest as part of the FanNation network in 2021 as a contributing writer, where he served as both a writer and a photographer on game days. In 2024, he took over as the Managing Editor for Michigan Wolverines On SI. His love for Michigan Football brought him into the industry, and his passion for being a content creator has led to some amazing experiences along the way.

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