Four Houston firefighters have returned home safely after a two-week deployment to Southern California, where they bravely assisted in battling devastating wildfires. The Houston Fire Department (HFD) Wildland Team, consisting of Travis Hobbs, Chris Mixon, A.J. Castillo, and Jonathan Williams, left for California on January 11th as part of a statewide task force. They worked tirelessly alongside other firefighters to contain the blazes, returning to Houston on January 28th. HFD Chief Thomas Muñoz expressed his pride in the team and highlighted the vital importance of interagency cooperation in combating large-scale wildfires.
A devastating wildfire, known as the Palisades Fire, has ripped through the Santa Monica Mountains in Los Angeles County. Sparked on January 7th, 2025, and fueled by powerful Santa Ana winds, the blaze has tragically claimed 11 lives and destroyed 6,770 structures. The fire has scorched 23,448 acres across Pacific Palisades, Topanga, and Malibu, making it the tenth-deadliest and third-most destructive wildfire in California history.
Chief Muñoz praised the four Houston firefighters who battled the California wildfires, highlighting their selfless dedication to serving others, even far from home. He emphasized the importance of mutual aid and collaboration amongst firefighters in tackling large-scale disasters.
During the media Q&A, Chief Muñoz expressed immense pride in the four firefighters who answered the call to duty. He commended their selflessness, acknowledging the sacrifice they made by being away from their families to help those in need. Chief Munoz highlighted their dedication to serving the community, extending beyond the borders of their own city to assist fellow citizens in California. He emphasized the strong sense of brotherhood and sisterhood within the fire service, noting how firefighters from across Texas, the United States, and even other countries united under a common goal – to protect lives and property. This type of mutual aid, he explained, is essential in combating large-scale incidents like the California wildfires, demonstrating the importance of interagency cooperation and reliance during times of crisis.