CLAIM: Los Angeles firefighting equipment donation to Ukraine is responsible for not putting out the fires in California.
VERDICT: The firefighting equipment aid provided by various California departments included surplus individual equipment, at least one surplus fire engine, hoses, and nozzles, which did not impact firefighting efforts in California.
The California wildfires continue to cause massive destruction, particularly in Los Angeles County. The largest fires, in Palisades and Eaton, have burned more than 37,000 hectares, resulting in at least 16 deaths and the destruction of over 12,000 buildings.
California wildfires are attributed to a combination of factors such as climate change, human activity, and natural causes. High temperatures, drought, and strong Santa Ana winds create ideal conditions for fire spread. Additionally, factors such as human negligence, arson, poorly maintained electrical grids, and insufficient forest management increase the risk. Urbanization in forested areas exacerbates the problem, while natural phenomena like lightning strikes also contribute.
The claim that U.S. aid to Ukraine has negatively affected California’s firefighting capabilities is baseless. This claim circulated widely on social media and was amplified by Donald Trump Jr. and Elon Musk, particularly after reports of donations of fire engines and equipment from the United States to Ukraine. However, these reports distort the facts about resource allocation and the nature of the donations.
In March 2022, the Los Angeles County Fire Department donated surplus and outdated materials to Ukraine. These included hoses, nozzles, firefighting suits, helmets, and other personal protective equipment, but not fire engines. In October 2024, the Kern County Fire Department in California donated a decommissioned fire engine to Ukraine through the nonprofit organization U.S. Ambulances for Ukraine. This vehicle was old and out of active service, and its donation did not affect the department’s operational readiness. The San Jose Fire Department also donated safety equipment in July 2022 worth over $1 million, including 373 self-contained breathing apparatuses, 600 mask regulators, 183 air cylinders, and hundreds of masks. Additionally, various departments such as Montecito Fire, Carpinteria-Summerland Fire, Santa Barbara City Fire, and others contributed outdated firefighting equipment, urban search and rescue tools, medical supplies, ropes, helmets, and gear bags. Similar donations have been made by at least 30 other U.S. states, including 83 used and decommissioned ambulances, fire engines, and general-purpose vehicles from fire departments, hospitals, and private donors.
The challenges faced by California firefighters, such as staff shortages, budget cuts, and infrastructure issues, are unrelated to the aid provided to Ukraine. For example, the Los Angeles Fire Department’s budget was reduced by $17.6 million in 2024 due to local decisions, not U.S. foreign aid policies.
However, Snopes notes that while the Los Angeles Fire Department budget appeared to have been reduced by $17.6 million for the 2024–2025 fiscal year, this was because certain salary funds were temporarily moved to a separate budget due to negotiations for raises with the firefighters’ union. In November 2024, the Los Angeles City Council approved an additional $76 million in funding, leading to a net increase of over $53 million compared to the previous year. According to the LA Times, the budget also includes $58 million for purchasing fire engines and other equipment. These two allocations represent a total budget increase of 7%, raising it to over $950 million from the previous year’s $820 million.
Additionally, incidents such as water pressure issues at fire hydrants during wildfires highlight systemic problems in local infrastructure rather than fund diversion. Local authorities reported that the problem was due to excessive water demand and the inability to use aerial firefighting resources due to strong winds.
The claim has also been debunked by other fact-checking organizations such as Facta and StopFake.
Conclusion
The firefighting equipment aid provided by various California departments consisted of surplus individual equipment, at least one surplus fire engine, hoses, and nozzles, which did not impact firefighting efforts in California.