ALBANY — Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Thursday that a team of 10 state Department of Environmental Conservation forest rangers is traveling to California.

The forest rangers are traveling to the state to support ongoing efforts to contain wildfires raging in Los Angeles. The forest rangers flew out of Albany Thursday morning for what is expected to be a two-week assignment, according to the governor’s office.

At least one of the rangers in the group is from Region 5, which covers the Tri-Lakes region and is headquartered in Ray Brook, according to the DEC’s press office. The office noted that the DEC does not release the names of participating forest rangers until after they return from the mission.

“When other states and nations ask for New York’s help, we are always prepared to send assistance,” Hochul said. “New York’s expert wildland firefighting Forest Rangers were eager to answer the call and will do what they can to help in response to the extraordinary devastation in and around Los Angeles. I thank them for their bravery and look forward to their safe return.”

New York regularly deploys highly trained wildland firefighters to help battle fires in other states and nations as part of interstate and international firefighting compacts. In Southern California, the fires have killed an estimated 25 people to date, burned more than 40,000 acres and destroyed more than 12,000 structures.

The fires started on Jan. 7, fueled by strong Santa Ana winds and abnormally dry conditions for January and several months leading up to the fires.

“DEC’s forest rangers are highly trained wildland firefighters who are prepared to use their expertise to assist communities in need whenever they get the call,” said DEC Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar. “I appreciate the Rangers stepping up to run toward danger and bolster the efforts of firefighters from across the U.S., Mexico, Canada, and other nations to battle these destructive wildfires.”

In 1979, New York sent its first firefighting crew to assist western states with large wildfires. On average, one or two crews are deployed as needed to assist with wildfires every year. In addition to helping contain wildfires and minimize damage to people and property, these crews gain valuable experience that will be utilized in fighting wildfires and managing incidents in New York.

All personnel and travel expenses for the New York crews are either paid directly by the U.S. Forest Service or reimbursed to New York State based on a mutual aid agreement between states and federal land agencies.