LACoFD K9 Human Remains Detection Teams activated to New Mexico Wildfires

Los Angeles, CA – The Los Angeles County Fire Department’s K9 Human Remains Detection (HRD) teams were activated last night at 8:00 p.m. by the United States Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to respond to the destructive wildfires impacting New Mexico.  The South Fork Fire and Salt Fire have burned over 23,000 acres in New Mexico and left two people dead.  Thus far, about 1,400 homes and other structures have been destroyed, and over 8,000 people have evacuated their homes.

FEMA has requested the Department’s HRD Team which consists of the following personnel:

• Fire Captain Celina Serrano with K9 Prentiss
• Fire Fighter Paramedic Nicholas Bartel with K9 Six
• Fire Fighter Paramedic Edward Ruiz with K9 Harper
• Fire Fighter Paramedic Jonathan Mungia with K9 Clifford

Our personnel are scheduled to deploy to Albuquerque, New Mexico, at 3:00 p.m. today from Long Beach Airport.  Daily communication will be maintained with FEMA and our HRD Team throughout their deployment.

If you have any questions, please contact the Public Information Office at (323) 881‑2413.