Uplifting Tribes’ Responses to LA Fires
Reflecting on Indigenous resilience, cultural connections to land, and ways to support.
AP Photo/John Loche
Wildfires have devastated Los Angeles, but amid the destruction, Indigenous communities have stepped up to protect lives and land. Native firefighters, cultural stewards, and tribal organizations have been at the forefront of fire response and recovery, demonstrating deep resilience and ancestral knowledge of fire management.
This post highlights Indigenous perspectives on the fires, the role of tribal fire departments, and ways to support tribal communities rebuilding in their wake.
Native Firefighters: Leading Emergency Response
Tribal fire departments are playing a crucial role in firefighting efforts. At least eight tribal fire agencies have been actively assisting in Los Angeles: Pechanga, Rincon, Soboba, Pala, Yocha Dehe, Viejas, Barona, and San Manuel.
🔥 “It’s probably the most important thing we do. No community can respond and mitigate emergencies on their own.” – Pechanga Fire Department Chief Jason Keeling
Tribal firefighters not only combat wildfires but also bring centuries-old knowledge of controlled burns and land stewardship that could help mitigate future disasters.
Indigenous Perspectives on Wildfires
For many Native communities, the scale of destruction caused by the fires is linked to a disruption in traditional land stewardship practices. Western land management policies have often disregarded Indigenous ecological knowledge, leading to landscapes overloaded with dry, flammable vegetation.
“The wildfires right now are an example of how our lands have been kind of left to create a fuel capacity. And so now we're seeing the effects of allowing the lands to have a bunch of … flash fuels or non-native vegetation that was never part of our landscape of the past, but now is everywhere.”
—Matthew Teutimez, biologist with the Kizh Nation (Gabrieleño Band of Mission Indians)
Community Perspective: Connection to Land
The fires aren’t just an environmental disaster—they represent a deep cultural and spiritual loss for Indigenous communities. This video from @OfficialGabrielenoKizhNation on Instagram captures the significance of the land to the Gabrieleño people.
Donate to Indigenous-led Fire Relief Efforts
Indigenous communities impacted by the fires are in the early stages of rebuilding. Supporting their mutual aid requests directly funds relief efforts, housing support, and community restoration.
Pukúu, Cultural Community Services – Founded by the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians, providing fire disaster assistance
Gabrielino San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians’ Tovaangar Fire Support – Relief efforts for communities affected by the fires
San Fernando Band of Mission Indians’ Seven Feathers Non-profit – Supporting tribal families displaced by the fires
As we witness the devastation caused by wildfires, it’s critical to recognize and uplift the Indigenous leaders who have been stewarding this land long before modern firefighting. Supporting their efforts not only aids immediate relief but also empowers long-term land restoration rooted in traditional ecological knowledge.
