Former Milwaukee Brewers star Ryan Braun has been evacuated from his home in California for much of the past six weeks due to Los Angeles wildfires.

Braun, 41, spoke of his gratitude for firefighters as they continue to work to keep people and buildings safe.

“Firefighters and first responders are the real heroes,” Braun told Fox News Digital on Saturday. “I don’t think we get enough opportunities to thank them. But these guys risk their lives. They work around the clock. I know some firefighters who literally haven’t slept for 72 hours.” Hours.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Former Milwaukee Brewers player Ryan Braun waves to fans during his retirement announcement ceremony before the game against the New York Mets at American Family Field. (Benny Sieu/USA TODAY Sports)

“These men are doing everything they can to save as many people and buildings as possible. A huge thank you to them for everything they do for the community and today is an opportunity to say thank you to as many of them as possible.”

Basic phone numbers for Los Angeles area residents and how you can help

Braun, along with World Series champion Mike Moustakas, detroit lions Quarterback Jared Goff, Brewers star Christian Yelich and Brewers owner Mike Attanasio created California Strong to help those affected Communities affected by disasters.

California Strong is a program of the YMCA dedicated to supporting all Californians after disasters.

Yelich spoke Information about California communities continuing to support each other in times of need.

“Every time someone needs help, the community seems to step up. I remember the Woolsey fire, it was about seven years ago and it seems to have passed, but it’s been a long recovery process. You know, it wasn’t a day. Something that can be solved in a week, or even a year,” Yelich told Fox Digital News.

Aaron Rodgers condemns LA wildfire arsonist: ‘That’s the worst part of it all’

On January 8, 2025, the Sunset Fire burned in the Hollywood Hills area of ​​Los Angeles. (Jill Connolly/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

“It’s a multi-year process just to help people get back on their feet from the beginning and hopefully be there with them throughout the process and get back to normal at any time.”

Moustakas talked about how the Cal Powerhouse originated with Braun, Yelich, Goff and Attanasio looking after each other during tough times.

“It started out as us checking in on each other, and then it quickly transitioned to us trying to use our platform to help those in need. One of the greatest things we can do in baseball is use this platform for good,” said Mu Stakas told Fox News Digital.

“We are so lucky to be working with this YMCA partner and it all started there. Today we are here supporting a large number of families through a great community. We are very excited to be able to help these people out”.

Braun talked about how long and arduous the rebuilding process will be for people and how the Cal Powerhouse hopes to help those people.

“We live in this community. We grew up in this community. We can relate to the people and what they’re going through and dealing with. Similar to Mike (Mustaktas), I have three young kids, so I always look at where this can be a long and arduous process for a lot of people to start rebuilding their lives is to support people after natural disasters and tragedies,” Braun said.

“That’s what we’ve been trying to do for the last seven years. That’s the focus today. Our goal is to be able to support people in the short term, immediately today, and in the long term as they go through the ultimate endgame of rebuilding.” Their life is a very long and challenging process. “

California Strong is partnering with Proactive Sports to help Californians get back on their feet.

Click here to get the Fox News app

On January 12, 2025, wildfires continued to wreak havoc and burned through residential areas in Los Angeles, now entering their fifth day and causing widespread damage to residential areas in Los Angeles. (Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu via Getty Images)

“Proactive Sports has been partnered with California Strong since its inception,” Proactive Sports owner Emily Capretta told Fox News Digital. “Unfortunately, we held an event for those who were affected by the Woolsey Fire and the border shooting, something we unfortunately experienced in our community in 2018.

“We mobilized a group of very smart, strong women to host a community Thanksgiving, which kicked off a strong start in California,

“In this particular incident, the people who were displaced and lost their homes, I texted the original group of women that night and said they wanted to do it again with me. And then I texted Ryan Braun as well, and I Say, ‘It’s time we need to be the first point of action for those affected.’

Follow Fox News Digital Sports coverage on Xand subscribe to Fox News Sports Gathering Newsletter.