YODER – In a remarkable display of dedication and service, four firefighters from Yoder – Abigail Anderson, Caleb Anderson, Cody Cox, and Biley Powell– traveled to California to assist in combating the devastating wildfires which swept through Los Angeles in January. Their commitment highlights the willingness of local emergency responders to extend their efforts far beyond their home state in times of crisis.

For these firefighters, traveling to California was not an unusual mission. 

“We’ve been to California multiple times over the years. It seems like they always have a fire,” Cox noted. 

However, receiving a call to respond in January was particularly uncommon. The group initially reported to the Los Angeles area and assisted in many local missions. 

“The damage was super devastating,” Abigail Anderson recalled. 

When the fires in Los Angeles began to be contained and additional fire crews had responded, the group relocated to the Inyo National Forest to monitor high-risk areas for possible new fires and to prepare for new flare-ups.

Despite the devastation, they found the community to be incredibly supportive, providing food, supplies, toiletries, and sleeping bags to help crews endure their stay. Local police departments even brought over canine units to the base camps to boost morale. 

“The support from the community was just amazing,” Powell said. 

Firefighters from across the country and even Canada joined forces to battle the blaze. Crews from New York, Maine, Minnesota, Wyoming, and even inmates from the California Department of Corrections all came together, creating a powerful show of unity. 

“Seeing Wyoming resources come together was really something special,” said Caleb Anderson.

One of the most rewarding aspects of their job is the camaraderie among firefighters. 

“The fire community is small, and you run into people you’ve worked with on previous fires all the time,” said Abigail Anderson. 

The group also mentioned working so closely with people in emergency situations both deepens existing relationships and builds new ones. When asked why they continue to volunteer for such demanding assignments, the team members shared a common sentiment: a love of travel, meeting new people, and the satisfaction of helping communities in need. 

Their selflessness serves as a reminder emergency response knows no boundaries. Whether in Wyoming or across the country, these firefighters stand ready to serve wherever they are needed most.