[ Mitchell is a reporter for The Daily Signal and co-host of “The Daily Signal Podcast.”] Fire-ravaged California is grappling with the threat of floods, mudslides, and toxic ash this week as the state’s embattled leaders face more questions about their decision to dismantle an emergency response volunteer firefighting unit—and now attempt to erase its existence.

In the latest twist, the website and social media accounts for the firefighting unit, known as Team Blaze, vanished in the days after The Daily Signal was first to report on the controversial decision by a high-ranking military appointee of California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Shortly after Newsom appointed Matthew Beevers as adjutant general of the California Military Department in July 2022, Beevers decommissioned the Emergency Response Command, a highly trained joint command consisting of two volunteer units, according to Maj. Gen. Jay Coggan, retired commanding general of the California State Guard.

Prior to Beevers’ decision, Emergency Response Command included Team Blaze, a firefighting detachment with two years of training to operate five fire engines specially designed to fight wildfires in terrain like that of Los Angeles and act as firefighting hand crews.

More than 300 wildfires in Los Angeles and other areas of southern California have killed at least 28 people, destroyed approximately 16,000 structures, and burned over 57,000 acres, according to CAL FIRE.

Team Blaze was the nation’s first firefighting strike team, according to a state Offi ce of Emergency Services press release from August 2022.

The Daily Signal reported Jan. 16 that Beevers dismantled the volunteer firefi ghting force, which could have joined Los Angeles firefighters in putting out the flames that destroyed more than 40,000 acres and took at least 28 lives.

Beevers’ decision eliminated Team Blaze’s autonomy, and it was slashed in size; some members were moved under National Guard unit Task Force Rattlesnake.

On Jan. 20, Team Blaze’s website, was hosted on a California government site. According to a WayBack Machine search, the site formerly described the volunteer force as “a Type II fire line handcrew, ready to respond to any area of California when needed.”

Team Blaze’s Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly known as Twitter) accounts are also no longer in existence.