View Full Version : Four Federal Fire Fighters Killed
PapaBear
10-26-2006, 05:58 PM
While fighting a wildfire in Riverside County, which was deliberately set, a U. S. Forest Service truck moved into an area to save a house from destruction. While performing rigorous duties to fight the fire they were overwhelmed by the blaze an burned when they were unable to escape. Three died on scene, one in the hospital and one is still fighting for his life at the Arrowhead Regional Hospital in Colton, CA. The fire is in the Banning area and is still out of control. My heart and thoughts are with the firefighter's families and friends. Thank you all for your personal sacrifice. :cry:
Tom
CQB110
10-26-2006, 07:40 PM
A very sad incident indeed. My thoughts and prayers are with their families and friends as well :cry: !
WantToBeCHP
10-26-2006, 07:54 PM
I have a close friend that is CDF fire fighter, and he is out fighting the fire right now. Lets pray everybody comes home safe.
Condolences to the friends and loved ones of those brave firefighters.
bcjack
10-26-2006, 08:30 PM
The cause of the fire has been determined to be Arson...The Arsonist is now a MURDERER!!!!!!
The cause of the fire has been determined to be Arson...The Arsonist is now a MURDERER!!!!!!
I wish you guys the best luck getting leads on the person(s) responsible.
Ditto. I would love to see the murderer of those four firefighters brought to justice for his actions.
chico.medic
10-27-2006, 10:44 AM
Did anyone see the interview w/ Chief Hawkins? Powerful words. Hopefully they will find those responsible.
chico.medic
10-28-2006, 04:00 PM
Update from foxnews.com
BEAUMONT, Calif. ? The mother of one of the four firefighters who died battling a wildfire that authorities blamed on arsonists urged those who set it to turn themselves in Saturday.
"I firmly believe you didn't believe that things were going to turn out the way they did, but they did," said Bonnie McKay, whose son Jason, 27, died Thursday. "Don't let the remorse eat you alive. Come forward. ... I for one will try not to judge you. There is only one who can judge you."
Meanwhile, firefighters took advantage of calm weather and dissipating Santa Ana winds, making headway against the 62-square-mile conflagration by dumping water and retardant on flames using a fleet of helicopters and airplanes, including a DC-10 jumbo jet.
"Today is a turning point that will tell if our containment survives," said Janet Upton, a California Department of Forestry spokeswoman at the command post in Beaumont, 90 miles east of Los Angeles.
The 39,900-acre blaze was 40 percent contained, two days after blowtorch gusts overran a U.S. Forest Service crew, killing four of its members and leaving a fifth clinging to life with burns over most of his body.
Firefighter Pablo Cerda, 23, was listed in critical condition Saturday at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center after surgery Friday to remove damaged skin.
A reward for information leading to the arsonist soared to $500,000 Friday, as $100,000 posted by Riverside County quickly multiplied with matching offers from the state, neighboring San Bernardino County, Rancho Mirage resident Tim Blixseth and the Morongo Band of Mission Indians.
Investigators were looking into whether the wildfire was related to other blazes in recent months, including a canyon fire last weekend, though a sheriff's spokesman said there was no immediate indication of a serial arsonist.
Residents said they saw two young men leaving the area where the fire broke out early Thursday west of the San Jacinto Mountains.
Fire officials said there had been six other minor injuries to firefighters and, after completion of damage assessments, raised the number of destroyed homes to 27, up from earlier estimates of 10.
On Saturday, fire vehicles were gathered in the area and investigators walked with heads down as they looked for evidence around the ignition point near Esperanza Avenue.
One law enforcement official who spoke on condition of anonymity described the investigation as being in its "infancy."
Authorities declared the fire arson within hours of its start but have withheld details of any evidence they have. Fire officials have noted an unusual number of fires in the area in recent months, including one in a nearby canyon a week ago.
bcjack
10-29-2006, 02:52 PM
REWARD = $600,000
SB 405
11-02-2006, 12:05 PM
Looks like they have a suspect in custody.......anyone gotta a rope?:badgrin:
TahoeTex
11-02-2006, 04:30 PM
They do - here's the story: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061102/ts_nm/crime_arson_dc_3
They haven't yet disclosed what evidence they have that links him to the fire, but I sure hope he's the one who did it. It won't do anything to bring back the fallen firefighters, but at least he won't be running around free with their blood on his hands.
SB 405
11-03-2006, 06:28 PM
Not sure who designed this,but it's a nice touch
http://engine57memorial.org/
Welpe
11-03-2006, 06:51 PM
That's great sb 405. Man those pictures of them with their children are rough though.
PapaBear
11-04-2006, 04:43 AM
Not sure who designed this,but it's a nice touch
http://engine57memorial.org/
The lower right hand corner says it was designed by the media department, U.S. Department of Forestry. Great site!!
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