From the San Bernardino National Forest
Posted by: "John"
Sat Oct 28, 2006 8:01 pm (PST)

From the San Bernardino National Forest,

In our deepest thoughts, are Forest Service firefighters Mark
Loutzenhiser, Jess McLean, Jason McKay, and Daniel Hoover-Najera who
all tragically lost their lives while in the line of duty and
Firefighters Pablo Cerda who was critically injured, on October 26th
on the Esperanza Fire.

Mark Loutzenhiser, Engine Captain, was 44 years old and had 21 years
of service. He was a certified Emergency Management Technician (EMT).
He had worked previously as a hotshot crewman for the Vista Grande
Hot Shots and also as a volunteer firefighter for Riverside County.
He majored in fire science at Mt. San Jacinto College. He was a
longtime resident of Idyllwild, Calif. where he was a great supporter
and coach for the youth sports program.

Jess McLean, Fire Engine Operator, was 27 years old and had seven
years of service. He had been a hotshot for three years with Vista
Grande. He graduated from Banning High School in 1997 and attended
fire science classes at Crafton Hills College. He was a resident of
Beaumont, Calif.

Jason McKay, Assistant Fire Engine Operator, was 27 years old and had
five years of Forest Service experience and four years as a volunteer
firefighter in Adelanto. He also served on the Mojave Greens Type II
crew. He was a certified EMT and earned an associate's degree in Fire
Science. He was a resident of Phelan, Calif.

Daniel Hoover-Najera, Firefighter, was 20 years old and was in his
second season of firefighting. He worked on the Tahquitz Type II crew
in 2005 and was a seasonal employee in 2006. He graduated from San
Jacinto Mountain View High School in 2004. He was a resident of San
Jacinto, Calif.

Pablo Cerda, who remains in critical condition, is a 23-year-old
Firefighter in his second season with the Forest Service. He was
previously of the Tahquitz Type II crew. He graduated from Los Amigos
High School in Santa Ana in 2001 and attended Fire Academy of
Riverside Community College. He is a resident of Fountain Valley,
Calif.

"Our deepest condolences go out to the families during this very
tragic time," said Jeanne Wade Evans, San Bernardino National Forest
Supervisor. "All of us on the forest and in the fire service
community are suffering a great loss."

 

SBNF Engine 57 Support Update for Oct 30th
Posted by: "John"
Mon Oct 30, 2006 8:21 pm (PST)

• A public and media phone number is established at the San
Bernardino Supervisor's Office for information related to family
support, donation opportunities, and investigation team processes.
That number is 909-383-5501. Information is also posted on
www.inciweb.org. Fire suppression updates are available at 951-845-
2391 or 8159.

• Family support is established with all the families that
consist of family liaisons, chaplain and grief support, public
information support and other support as needed. They are working
with the families on funeral and memorial service desires.
Information is being made public as arrangements are developed.

• California Interagency Incident Management Team 1, led by Don
Feser, is providing immediate family and employee support, continuity
for the daily operations for the Esperanza Incident and fire support
staffing, and developing long term strategic needs for this tragic
event. Over 70 personnel are assigned to the Engine 57 support team.

• Fire Investigation Team - The Forest Service/California
Department of Forestry Unified Command Investigation Team that
arrived October 27th, is continuing with site visits which should be
completed today. This approximately 25 person team is tasked with
investigating what happened at the fatality site, and developing
information on what could be done to prevent this type of event. Team
specialists include fire investigators, fire behavior analysts,
climatologists, equipment technicians and others. The completion
date for a final report is unknown and is likely to take some time.

• Other Investigation Team – The Arson Investigative Team
continues with their operations. Arson information can be provided
at 951-922-7116.

• Donations – Four means to donate are established.
o Esperanza Firefighter Assistance Fund, P. O. Box 1645,
Riverside, CA 92502
Phone: 951-955-1010, 951-955-1030, or 951-955-1050
o Wildland Firefighters Foundation, at www.wffoundation.org, a
family support group with means for specific family financial
donations, or all the families equally.
o California Fire Foundation at www.cpf.org. Contributions can
also be sent to California Fire Foundation, Esperanza Firefighters
Fund, 1780 Creekside Oaks, Suite 200, Sacramento, CA 95833.
o Forest Service Volunteer Association has established an
account for direct cash donations, primarily for the local area.
o Riverside County Fire Department at www.myfoxla.com is
another donation site.
o Numerous other offers of donations are being coordinated by
the Incident Management Team.

• Funerals and Memorial Services – Funeral services are being
developed by each family. Their wishes will be strictly followed.
o The family of Mark Loutzenhiser will hold a private funeral
service Saturday, November 4 at Idyllwild. The services are for
friends and family, San Jacinto Ranger District personnel, and other
specified U.S. Forest Service employees. An address to send cards,
flowers or other donations for the service will be made available
pending coordination with the family.
o The family of Jason McKay is planning a funeral Friday,
November 3, at Apple Valley. Details are being developed for this
service.
o The family of Jess McLean is tentatively planning a private
funeral Friday, November 3.
o Services for Daniel Hoover Najera are still being developed.
o A community memorial service is in the early planning stages,
and a date has not been set. It will be publicly released when
established.

• Card/letters to families – Family support staff are asking
the families how they would like to receive cards or letters. Upon
their agreement information will be provided on addresses to send
cards or letters.

• CDF Team 8, operating under a unified command led by CDF
Incident Commander Rich Henson and USFS Mike Wakoski will transfer
command of the fire suppression efforts to a local unit today.

• Current status of the fire as of October 30th at 9 AM follows:

o 85 percent contained
o 2,555 personnel involved
o 40,200 acres burned to date
o Estimated full containment October 30 at 1800 hours