California joins firefighting compact with a dozen Northwest states and Canadian provinces

California joins a 13-member regional group that will share share resources to combat increasingly severe wildfires.

Hotter temperatures and shifting weather patterns have intensified wildfire risk across the state; crews are currently battling over 25 active blazes statewide.

The move comes as the Trump administration cuts U.S. Forest Service staff and budget, weakening federal firefighting capacity.

Days after California announced that it will form a “West Coast health alliance ” with Oregon and Washington, officials on Friday said the Golden State will also join a collaborative agreement with 12 other states, provinces and territories geared toward the prevention and suppression of wildfires.

The Northwest Wildland Fire Fighting Compact enables its U.S. and Canadian members to s