WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah (ABC4) Before the sun rose in Utah on Thursday morning, over five dozen firefighters from 17 different agencies across the Wasatch Front gathered in front of the Maverik Center.

After a quick briefing, they hit the road to begin a 12-hour drive to California to battle the deadly and devastating Palisades Fire in Los Angeles.

“Who knew we would be deploying in January?” Unified Fire Division Chief Chet Ellis told the group. “But we are. And I appreciate all of your help and your support.”

As of Thursday morning, several wildfires have ravaged the Los Angeles area. At least five people are dead and over 130,000 have been placed under evacuation orders. Hurricane-force winds fueled the flames that have since threatened Holywood landmarks and burned thousands of homes, businesses, and other structures.

Ellis said the Utah contingent of firefighters will be battling the flames in Malibu – although what the actual assignment is still up in the air.

“These deployments are always different. They are always unique. When we get down there, we have no idea what the conditions are going to be necessarily,” said Ellis. “So, we will just adapt, play it by ear, and do what it is they need us to do for them.”

The 64 Utah firefighters are scheduled to be in California for a 14-day deployment. Ellis said this kind of deployment is typical but they could be sent home early or have their stay extended depending on firefighting efforts. No matter what happens once the crew is in California, though, Ellis said they were happy to help.

“We’ve all had those instances where have felt helpless. We have felt desperate at times and need the help and that’s kind of what we do,” he said. “We support our neighbors because we know at some point, we’re going to need their help. We build those relationships, we do what we can to support them so that one day if we need it, they’ll support us as well.”

For many of the firefighters heading to California for Utah, it will be their first time fighting a fire outside of the Beehive State. Ellis said everyone heading to the Palisades Fire is highly experienced but that they are in for a humbling experience.

“The people there are always so appreciative of us being there. It always surprises them to see a Utah or a Salt Lake County vehicle, but everybody is so gracious and so respectful and so grateful. It really is humbling,” explained Ellis. “It’s nice that we can help. It’s unfortunate that we have to, but it’s great that we can.”

Ellis hopes the team will reach Malibu by Thursday night and ready to begin relief efforts first thing Friday morning.