THE LAGUNA INTERAGENCY HOTSHOT CREW

2012-01-25T12:45:00.000-08:00

U.S. FOREST SERVICE – Region 5 (California)

ForestryAid and Forestry Technicians

TemporaryWildland Firefighter

2012 Fire Season

Apply Now – Contact Captains ASAP – Job Offers may be made inJanuary and Early February

Click on Position Title link for description.
Apply online at: https://www.avuedigitalservices.com/

POSITION                              GRADE                   ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER

Forestry Aid (Entry Level)                        GS-462-03                     OCRT-462-3-FIRE-DT

Forestry Technician (Fire Engine Op)        GS-462-04                             OCRT-462-4-ENGINE-DT

Forestry Technician (Hotshots)    GS-462-04    OCRT-462-4-HOTSHOT-DT

Forestry Techncian (Helitack)    GS-462-04    OCRT-462-4-HLTK-DT

Forestry Technician (Handcrew)    GS-462-04    OCRT-462-4-HANDCREW-DT

For additionalassistance in understanding the hiring process, you may contact the Region 5,Fire Recruiter, Rita Yates at (530) 621-5288, Cell (707) 334-1394, or Email ryates@fs.fed.us

Duty Locations-Avue Cities and Local Contact information: Contact the Module Leader or Captains and confirm the correct Avue city to apply to.

Angeles National Forest http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/angeles/ To beconsidered for the following Duty Locations confirm the Avue City: Arcadia (626) 574-5200, Glendora (626)335-1251, La Canada-Flintridge (818) 899-1900, Lancaster (661) 723-2715,San Fernando (818) 899-1900, Saugus (661) 296-9710,Valyermo (661) 296-9710. Forest Civil Rights Officer – Sarah Majdiak(805) 961-5748 smajdiak@fs.fed.us

Cleveland National Forest http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/cleveland/ To be considered for the following DutyLocations confirm the Avue City: Alpine (619) 445-6235, Corona (951) 736-1811, ElCajon , Ramona (760) 788-0250.Forest Civil Rights Officer – Ronald Cortez (858) 673-6180 rcortez03@fs.fed.us

Eldorado National Forest http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/eldorado/ To be considered for the following DutyLocations confirm the Avue City: Georgetown (530) 333-5571, Grizzly Flats (530)647-5342, Kyburz (530) 647-5318, Pioneer (209) 295-5970, Placerville (530) 647-5339, PollockPines (530) 647-5465.

ForestCivil Rights Officer – Thomas Nichols (530) 621-5203 tnichols@fs.fed.us

Inyo National Forest http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/inyo/ To beconsidered for the following Duty Locations confirm the Avue City: Bishop (760) 873-2508, Independence , June Lake (760) 648-7346. Lee Vining (760) 647 3044,Lone Pine (760) 876-6236,Mammoth Lakes (760) 924-5500, Tom’s Place.

ForestCivil Rights Officer – Julie Hall (760) 873-2470 juliehall@fs.fed.us

Klamath National Forest http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/klamath/ To be considered for the following DutyLocations confirm the Avue City: Callahan (530) 467-3365, Fort Jones (530)468-1267, Happy Camp (530)493-1790 or (530) 493-1791 or (530) 493-1745,Klamath (530) 398-4689 River (530) 465-1502 or(530) 465-1515 or (530) 465-1505, MacDoel (530) 398-4689 or (530) 398-4148 or (530) 398-4430 or (530) 398-4608 or (530) 398-4607, Scott Bar (530)468-1235, Seiad (530)496-3353, Sawyers Bar(530) 468-1322 or (530) 468-1258, Cecilville (530) 468-1318. Forest CivilRights Officer – Barbara Stagg (530) 841-4489 bstagg@fs.fed.us

Lake Tahoe Basin ManagementUnit http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/ltbmu/ To beconsidered for the following Duty Location confirm the Avue City: South LakeTahoe (530) 543-2884, Meyers (530) 543-2882, Spooner (530) 545-3364, Meeks Bay(530) 525-7715. Forest Civil Rights Officer – Adrian Escobedo (530) 543-2758 aescobedo02@fs.fed.us

Lassen National Forest http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/lassen/ To beconsidered for the following Duty Locations confirm the Avue City: Chester (530) 258-5135, Fall River Mills (530) 336-5521, Forest Ranch(530) 873-0580, Hat Creek (530) 336-5521,Manzanita Lake (530) 595-4444, Mineral (530)595-3506, Old Station (530) 335-7424, Susanville (530) 257-4188. Forest Civil Rights Officer –Michael Green (530) 252-6603 mgreen@fs.fed.us

Los Padres National Forest http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/lospadres/ To beconsidered for the following Duty Locations confirm the Avue City: ArroyoGrande (805) 925-9538, Big Sur (831) 385-5434, Carpinteria (805) 967-3481,Fillmore (805) 646-4348 , Frazier Park (661) 245-3731, Goleta (805) 967-3481, Greenfield (831)385-5434, Jolon (831) 385-5434, LosOlivos (805) 925-9538, New Cuyama (805) 925-9538 , Ojai (805) 646-4348, Piru (805) 646-4348, Santa Barbara (805)967-3481, Santa Maria (805) 925-9538 , Santa Margarita , Santa Ynez (805) 967-3481.Forest Civil Rights Officer – SarahMajdiak (805) 961-5748 smajdaik@fs.fed.us

Mendocino National Forest http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/mendocino/ To beconsidered for the following Duty Locations confirm the Avue City: Covelo (707)983-8513 or (707) 775-1406,Elk Creek (530) 934-1270 or (530) 963-1311,Paskenta (530) 934-1270 or (530) 833-5214,Stonyford (530) 934-1270 or (530) 963-1311,Upper Lake (707) 775-1406 or (707) 775-1441, Willows (530) 934-1155. Forest Civil RightsOfficer – Barbara Leach (530) 934-1103 bleach@fs.fed.us

Modoc National Forest http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/modoc/ To be considered for the following DutyLocations confirm the Avue City: Adin (530) 299-3215, Alturas (530) 233-5811, Canby (530) 233-7960, Cedarville (530) 279-6116 ,Tulelake (530) 667-2246. Forest Civil Rights Officer – MarioLongoria (530) 233-8716 mlongoria@fs.fed.us

Plumas National Forest http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/plumas/ To be considered for the following DutyLocations confirm the Avue City: Beckworth (530) 836-2575, Belden (530) 284-7126, Berry Creek , Blairsden (530) 836-2575,Challenge (530) 534-6500,Chilcoot (530) 836-2575,Greenville (530) 283-0555,Doyle , Milford (530) 836-2575, Quincy (530) 283-0555, Strawberry Valley . Forest Civil Rights Officer – Vacant (530)283-7891

San Bernardino National Forest http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sanbernardino/ To be considered for the following DutyLocations confirm the Avue City: Big Bear (909) 382-2772, Fawnskin (909)382-2772, Idyllwild (909)382-2943, Lytle Creek (951) 236-1925, Mentone (951) 236-1925, Skyforest (909)382-2772. ForestCivil Rights Officer – Ronald Cortez(858) 673-6180 rcortez03@fs.fed.us

Sequoia National Forest http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sequoia/ To be considered for the following DutyLocations confirm the Avue City: Blackrock (559) 539-2607, California Hot Springs (661) 548-6503, Dunlap (559) 335-2550,Glenville (661) 536-8311, Havilah (661)867-2753, Hume, Johnsondale (760)376-2171, Kernville (760)376-3781, Pinehurst (559)336-2551 , Porterville (559) 784-1500, Springville(559) 539-2607, Wofford Heights, Lake Isabella (760) 379-5646. Forest Civil Rights Officer – PaullaStephens (559) 784-1500 ext 1193 pstephens@fs.fed.us

Shasta-Trinity National Forest http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/shastatrinity/ To be considered for the following DutyLocations confirm the Avue City: Burnt Ranch - Big Bar - Junction City (530) 623-1870, Lewiston Helibase (530)286-2255, Coffee Creek - Mule Creek – Weaverville (530) 623-1741, Hayfork (530)628-1240, Hyampom , McCloud , Mount Shasta (530) 964-3740, Platina , Redding (530) 242-5522, TrinityCenter , Weaverville (530)623-1740 . Forest Civil Rights Officer – Marilyn Loughrey(530) 226-2367 mloughrey@fs.fed.us

Sierra National Forest http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sierra/ To beconsidered for the following Duty Locations confirm the Avue City: Big Creek (559) 893-3419, Dinky Creek , Fresno , Mariposa (209) 966-2477 , North Fork (559) 877-2218, Oakhurst , Prather (559) 855-5355, Trimmer , Clovis (559) 297-0706.

ForestCivil Rights Officer – Mary McDonough (559) 297-0706 Ext 4880 mmcdonough@fs.fed.us

Six River National Forest http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sixrivers/ To be considered for the following DutyLocations confirm the Avue City: Eureka and Fortuna (707) 4413514, Gasquet (707)457-3131, Mad River, Ruth and Zenia (707) 574-6860, Orleans (530) 627-3284, Salyer and Willow Creek (530)629-4137. Forest Civil Rights Officer – Kathy Allen(707) 441-3557 kallen@fs.fed.us

Stanislaus National Forest http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/stanislaus/ To beconsidered for the following Duty Locations confirm the Avue City: Groveland (209)962-7825, Hathaway Pines (209)795-1381, Mi-Wuk Village (209) 586-3234,Pinecrest (209) 965-3434.Forest Civil Rights Officer – Michael Perez (209) 532-3671 Ext 425 mperez02@fs.fed.us

Tahoe National Forest http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/tahoe/ To beconsidered for the following Duty Locations confirm the Avue City: Camptonville(530) 478-6253, Downieville , Forest Hill (530) 478-5254, Loyalton , NevadaCity , Sierraville (530) 994-3401 , Soda Springs , Truckee (530) 587-3558. Forest Civil Rights Officer – Mike Cruz (530)478-6178 mcruz@fs.fed.us

No Apprentice Hire on Forest

2012-01-24T09:13:00.001-08:00

Currently, The Cleveland National Forest WILL NOT be hiring Firefighter Apprentices this year. Apparently we have reached full capacity from the last hire.

2012 Apprentice Application Announcment

2011-12-17T10:36:00.001-08:00

U.S. FOREST SERVICE – Region 5 (California)
Wildland Firefighter Apprenticeship Program (WFAP)

Application Period: December 16, 2011 through January 16, 2012

Veterans are encouraged to apply on the Avue web site under the Demo Authority (DP) where Veterans Preference is applied to eligible applicants. You must submit a DD-214 if you are claiming Veteran’s Preference. An age waiver may be granted to eligible Veterans who can meet the arduous physical standards of the position. Veteran applicants may qualify for funding under the GI Bill.

Duties: Serves on a crew performing duties in fire suppression and/or fire prevention. Performs prescribed burning crew duties in order to reduce fuel hazards and disease, while protecting wildlife. Assists fire dispatch by operating radios, telephones, and other equipment that is used to exchange information for fire weather information or other suppression related activities. Lays fire hose in the use of water to control fire. Moves dirt, chops brush, and fells small trees to build fire line using various hand tools such as an axe, shovel, Pulaski, and McLeod to control spreading wildland fire and/or to prepare lines prior to controlled burning. Chops, carries, and piles logging slash. Searches out and extinguishes burning materials by moving dirt, applying water by hose or backpack pump. Patrols fire line to locate and extinguish sparks, flare-ups, and hot spots that may threaten loss of control of the fire. Cleans, reconditions, and stores simple fire tools and equipment. When not engaged in fire suppression or training activities, Forestry Technicians perform basic duties in support of fire, timber, silviculture, recreation, wilderness, or research programs, projects, or activities. These duties may include road, trail, station, recreational facilities maintenance, visitor contacts and other duties as assigned.

The USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region (California) Fire and Aviation Management program requires talented people working safely together to be successful. Wildland firefighters work in a variety of specialized positions, including fire engine crews, fuels management, hand crews, helitack, interagency hotshot crews, and patrol and prevention technicians. Crews often travel throughout California and other areas across the country performing fire suppression and other incident activities.

Vacancy Announcement (VA) #: 12-R5-WFAP-345DP will be open December 16, 2011 through January 17, 2012. This Demo (DP) announcement will be open to temporary government employees (summer firefighters), Veterans, members of the general public and current Federal employees. This is the only announcement number for the California WFAP. To easily locate the announcement in Avue; sign up, log in, click on the red Job Search button, then click on Search by Filters, locate the Vacancy Announcement box and enter: 12-R5-WFAP-345DP click Add, then click on Find Jobs. To apply for the Wildland Firefighter Apprenticeship Program (WFAP) GS-462-3/4/5 you must submit the on line application no later than January 17, 2012, to be considered for these positions.

APPLICATION PROCESS: Apply through the AVUE Digital Services on-line application system – https://www.avuedigitalservices.com//usfa/applicant.html You may also access the vacancy announcements through USAJOBS – http://jobsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/ - and note, you will be redirected to apply through the AVUE website. Specific information about the position can be found under the listing “Position Description” at both the AVUE and USAJOBS websites. PLEASE READ VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT COMPLETELY AS IT CONTAINS IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Check out the “Community” link and the “Wildland Firefighting” discussion for helpful hints from the Avue Home page. Veterans can find help in identifying and articulating military skills on Avue in the Career Portfolio > My Career Experience MOS (Military Occupation Specialty) and select the military filter. Applicants may select up to 9 specific Forests/locations where you would be willing to accept a job offer. There may not be a second offer at a more desirable location. All applicants are encouraged to attach a list in the “Additional Information” block of up to 9 preferred Avue cities in priority order – in addition to selecting from the Avue drop down menu. Specific duty locations have been consolidated under the National Forest Headquarter location. The nature of the WFAP may require a selectee to move to different duty locations to gain expertise and complete program requirements across the Forest.
Not all locations anticipate hiring Apprentices at this time. Apply to locations that you would accept a job offer.

Selections for Apprentice positions will be made the week of February 20, 2012
To receive additional assistance in understanding the hiring process, contact the California Region 5, Fire Recruiter, Rita Yates at (530) 621-5288, Cell (707) 334-1394, or Email ryates@fs.fed.us

End of Season

2011-11-17T10:44:00.001-08:00

Today is the Crew's last day on for the season. Crew will start back up around May 2012...

2011-11-11T16:02:00.001-08:00

2011-10-28T23:33:00.000-07:00

FEDERAL WILDLAND FIRE SERVICE ASSOCIATION

P.O. BOX 517 INKOM, IDAHO 83245 PHONE/FAX: (208) 775-4577 WWW.FWFSA.ORG

Celebrating our 20th year Serving America’s

Federal Wildland Firefighters

PRESS RELEASE

FEDERAL EMPLOYEE GROUP CHALLENGES CONGRESS ON PERVASIVE ANTI-FEDERAL EMPLOYEE SENTIMENT

IDAHO-Wednesday October 26, 2011-In letters to the Chairmen of the Senate Homeland
Security and Government Affairs Committee and the House Oversight and Government Reform
Committee along with Ranking members of both committees, the Federal Wildland Fire Service
Association (FWFSA) challenged those in Congress who continue to attack the federal workforce and suggest that it is the federal workforce that is responsible for our Nation’s fiscal ills and thus that same federal workforce who should shoulder the burden of fixing the budget deficit.

The FWFSA is a nationwide employee association comprised primarily of federal wildland firefighters employed by all five federal land management agencies. Although it’s diverse membership includes those occupying all FIRE positions from entry-level to fire chief, many members are contractually represented by the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE).

In its letter to the Committees, the FWFSA suggested that the continued assault on the federal workforce through proposals to extend the current pay freeze and implement other “adverse” actions “make great sound bites” for politicians and may be the ‘easy & expedient’ solution but fails to recognize the fact that in many instances, the results will have the opposite effect as that intended and actually increase the costs to taxpayers.

“Almost on a daily basis we hear those from both sides of the aisle claim to be listening to the American People. While it is likely Republicans are listening to Republicans and Democrats are listening to Democrats, absolutely no one is listening to the federal workforce. Especially those at or near the bottom of the federal pay scale who risk their lives for this Country and its citizens” said Casey Judd, FWFSA Executive Director. As a result the FWFSA is asking both committees to hold hearings so they can listen to those federal employees and become more educated with regards to the consequences of their proposals. “Those that are expected to risk their lives to protect our Nation’s federal assets (federal firefighters employed by the DOD) and those who risk their lives protecting our Nation’s natural resources and its citizens and their real & personal property from the ravages of wildfires are consistently found at or near the bottom of the federal pay scale” said Judd. “These brave men & women occupy many of the lowest grades in the federal government and struggle to make a living and raise a family at or near the poverty level.”

Judd continued “It is our firm belief that federal employees at or near the bottom of the federal pay scale in any federal agency have a far greater insight into where the fiscal waste & mismanagement is in their agency and how to eliminate it than anyone in Congress.”

“The current fiscal crisis was not created by the federal workforce,” said Judd. It is a result of decades of policies from both sides of the aisle. Whether borne of ignorance or political posturing, the current anti-federal employee sentiment allows some in Congress to avoid addressing the obvious... poor Congressional oversight of the tax dollars it appropriates to federal agencies being a root cause of excessive federal spending.

“Neither the $1.3 trillion associated with the debt ceiling debate or the Administration’s recent order for federal agencies to cut their budgets across the board by 5% will do anything to ensure that fiscal waste and mismanagement within federal agencies will be eliminated,” said Judd. Federal money managers will continue to find ways to inoculate their fiscal waste & mismanagement from such cuts. As a result, those at or near the bottom of the federal pay scale and Americans who rely on federal programs and services will continue to be adversely affected.

“Rather, said Judd, ‘Congress should re-evaluate their lax oversight of dollars already appropriated to
federal agencies to ensure those tax dollars are being expended as required.” There is no doubt that
substantial fiscal waste & mismanagement can be found in most federal agencies. “Without adequate
oversight, these agencies have been allowed to waste staggering sums of tax dollars. Perhaps adequate oversight would actually eliminate the need for draconian cuts to the federal budget.”

Rather than taking the time to ensure tax dollars are used wisely, some in Congress believe meat
cleaver, slash & burn cuts to the federal budget and attacks on the federal workforce will fix the budget deficit problem overnight. “The problem was not created overnight and it cannot be corrected overnight and certainly not on the backs of our federal workforce” said Judd.

The FWFSA has spent years appearing before both Senate & House committees articulating the fiscal waste and mismanagement found within the federal land management agency wildfire programs, most particularly that of the Forest Service. Despite such findings being validated by Congress, the GAO and even government agency OIGs, the waste continues.

In fact, last session the FWFSA sponsored legislation introduced in the House that would do “exactly
what both Republicans & Democrats say they want/need to do i.e. reduce federal spending; create a
more effective & efficient federal program and save taxpayers perhaps $100 million or more each year.”“We got a lot of nodding of the heads from staff & members” said Judd ‘but little traction.” This session under an even more divisive Congress, we can’t seem to get the time of day.”

The FWFSA insists that continued attacks on the federal workforce will result in the continued loss of inherently less expensive federal wildland firefighters. As a result, land management agencies will
continue their over-reliance on more costly non-federal fire resources thus inflating the costs of wildfire suppression needlessly. Despite the claims of so-called ‘experts” that climate and the increase in the Wildland Urban Interface are the cause of wildfire suppression costs skyrocketing, the FWFSA believes it is the costs of unnecessary non-federal resources more than anything else that has driven up the costs.

“Climate and the WUI can be mitigated to significant degrees by proper preparedness” claims the
FWFSA. However when federal fire resources are lost as a result of firefighters seeking better pay &
benefits, retirement & early retirement and those losses are coupled with mismanaged dollars
appropriated to provide said federal resources in the field to keep fires small and thus less costly, the only way for federal agencies to fill in the gaps is to bring in more costly non-federal resources.

For more information, please contact the FWFSA at www.fwfsa.org or by email at cjudd@ fwfsa.org or by phone at 208-775-4577.

In REMEMBERANCE

2011-10-26T10:34:00.000-07:00

As we quickly approach the Southern California's peak and worst part of the fire season (East Winds~Santa Ana's) we would to take a moment to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

October 26th, 2006 ESPERANZA FIRE
     CA-BDF-Engine 57- Capt. Mark Loutzenhiser, 43
FEO Jess McLean, 27
                                      AFEO Jason McKay, 27
                          F/F Pablo Cerda, 23
                                      F/F Daniel Hoover-Najera, 20

October 29th, 2003 CEDAR FIRE
CA-Novato Fire Department- Engineer Steven Rucker, 38

November 25th, 1956 INAJA FIRE

11 KILLED IN ACTION IN LINE OF DUTY
Overhead Personnel
*Name & Age*	*Fire Position*	*Regular Position*
Anderson, Albert W., 45	Night Sector Boss	Forest Service employee, Shasta-Trinity National Forest, Redding, Calif.
Lingo, Carlton Ray, 19	Night Crew Boss	Forest Service employee, Cleveland National Forest, San Diego, Calif.
Maxwell, Forrest B., 30	Night Crew Boss	Forest Service employee, Shasta-Trinity National Forest, Redding, Calif.
Wehrung, LeRoy, 41	Correctional Officer	Mechanic, Viejas Honor Camp, San Diego, Calif.
Viejas Honor Camp Men
Daniels, Miles, 33	Fire fighter	Inmate
Fallin, Wm. D., 22	"	"
Garcia, George A., 41	"	"
O’Hara, Joseph P., 45	"	"
Shepherd, Lonnie L., 26	"	"
Tibbitts, Joe, 34	"	"

Back Home

2011-10-04T13:08:00.000-07:00

The crew has been released from the Great 2 Fire and is back home available.

CA-MVU-Great

2011-10-01T18:51:00.000-07:00

Crew has been ordered for another local fire. The Great Fire is located near Julian at Scissors Crossing at Granite Mountain. The fire is currently 400 acres and 5% containment.

Fire Info: http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=602

Cancelled

2011-10-01T10:00:00.000-07:00

Crew got cancelled on the Chihuahua Fire as we arrived on scene.

CA-MVU-Chihuahua Fire

2011-09-30T21:35:00.001-07:00

The crew has been ordered up on their day-off for a local lightning fire in the Warner Springs area. The fire is about 75-100 acres.

Crew released from the Hurricane Fire

2011-09-15T11:15:00.001-07:00

The crew was released yesterday from the Los Padres Hurricane Fire and is back home on duty.

CA-SLRD-Lightning Plan

2011-09-10T15:05:00.001-07:00

Crew ordered up for lighting fires on the Los Padres National Forest.

Released from the Canyon Fire

2011-09-09T09:39:00.001-07:00

The crew is back home for a day off.

Canyon Fire contiues

2011-09-05T12:41:00.000-07:00

The crew arrived at the fire last night around 8:30pm and was put on the line to assist Bear Divide HS with a burning operation. They were going back in around 10:30pm to bed down. Day shift today. The fire is 5500+ acres and burning in rugged terrain. The winds are pushing the fire and the fire is creating it's own weather.

http://www.kerncountyfire.org/incidents.php?id=534

Canyon Fire info

2011-09-05T07:50:00.001-07:00

http://www.kerncountyfire.org/incidents.php?id=534

CA-KRN-Canyon Fire

2011-09-04T14:39:00.000-07:00

Crew ordered for a new fire in Kern County in the town of Tehachapi.

Released from the Hill Fire

2011-09-04T12:49:00.000-07:00

The crew was released from the Hill Fire last night in anticipation for crew orders to the Los Padres National Forest "Figueroa Fire". The reassignment order was cancelled this morning due to the fire laying down last night. The crew is currently back home available.

CA-BDF-Hill

2011-09-02T17:36:00.001-07:00

Link to Hill Fire info...

http://www.inciweb.org/incident/2568/

CA-BDF-Hill

2011-09-02T15:42:00.000-07:00

The crew has been ordered for the Hill fire near the Cajon Pass in San Bernadino. Current size is 500 acres, structures threatened (evacuations) and both sides of I-15 shut down.

Released

2011-09-02T11:32:00.001-07:00

The crew got released from the Ridge Fire on Wednesday night and is currently on days off.

CA-CNF-Ridge

2011-08-31T09:19:00.000-07:00

The crew has been assigned (yesterday) to a fire on their district. The fire is providing many opportunities to get things signed off on tasks books.

Point Fire

2011-08-12T21:29:00.000-07:00

The crew is working on the Div. Kilo on the Point fire. The fire is slowly growing and actually is 3 separate fires. The fire is being managed to meet resource objectives. The crew is prepping indirect line to create a catcher's mitt for possible future burnout operation.

Grand Canyon

2011-08-10T06:02:00.000-07:00

The crew has been ordered for the POINT FIRE in the Grand Canyon near the North Rim. The fire started on July 4th by lightning and is currently 1257 acres and is being managed for resource objectives.

Point Fire Inciweb

Released

2011-07-29T09:01:00.000-07:00

The crew was demobed this afternoon after completing their last 34 hour shift in extremely steep/rocky hot terrain. Two Hotshots did suffer heat exhaustion on 7/ 26 and are at home recovering. The crew is still available for assignment. The current fire acreage is 14,100 acres.

CA-MVU-Eagle Fire

2011-07-23T18:06:00.000-07:00

The crew was called back to work from their days off. They were assigned to the Eagle Fire is near Warner Springs, CA and which is burning towards Borrego Springs, CA. The fire is burning in steep, rugged terrain and only accessible by ground resources (crews) and air resources. The crew was assigned to Division (C)harlie, east of Eagles Nest & San Ignacio. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time. The fire made a few big runs today and has grown to 9000+ acres.
The crew will "coyote" out in Division (C)harlie with Vista Grande Hotshots tonight and tie into Division (D)elta in the morning.

Still Home

2011-07-19T10:11:00.000-07:00

Fire activity has slowed a bit but with the current heat wave, we could see activity pick up soon. The crew is currently training and working on projects.

Our Deepest Sympathies and Condolences to the Bonneville Hotshots and their families.

2011-07-08T13:31:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we lost one of our own in the Hotshot community while fighting a fire in Texas. Thoughts and prayers go out to our Brothers and Sisters with the Bonneville Hotshots and to the Hamm family for their loss...

BLM Fireﬁghter Dies While Working on Texas Blaze
An Idaho firefighter died while battling a wild fire in north central Texas Thursday afternoon, possibly a victim of the extreme heat that has gripped the region in the last few weeks, officials said.

Caleb Hamm, 24, died as he was working with a firefighting crew on the 337 Fire near Mineral Wells, according to the Texas Forest Service.
Officials said Hamm, of Boise, Idaho, collapsed while he was working on the fire line. He died while he was being rushed to a nearby hospital.

An autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of his death, but initial indications are the extreme heat in the region was a primary factor, officials said.
Temperatures climbed to triple digits in the area Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

Officials said the 337 Fire has blackened 932 acres and is 75 percent contained.
Hamm was a member of the Bureau of Land Management's Bonneville Interagency Hotshot crew, based in Salt Lake City, Utah. He had been a seasonal firefighter for six years. This was his first assignment as member of a hotshot crew.
"Our entire organization deeply mourns the death of one of our own, Caleb Hamm," said Robert V. Abbey, BLM's national director. "His passing gives us pause to consider what truly matters in life. We extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to his family, friends and members of his crew."

Since fire season began Nov. 15 in the state, firefighters have responded to 14,069 fires that have burned more than 3.2 million acres.

Read more: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7644875.html#ixzz1RY2HrCVb

Thoughts and Prayers go out to the Valyermo Hotshots

2011-07-05T10:41:00.000-07:00

9 firefighters injured in crew carrier crash

Nine U. S. Forest Service firefighters were injured when their crew carrier crashed in southern California Monday night. Nathan Judy, a USFS public information officer, said seven were taken to area hospitals, treated, then released. Two had to be extricated from the truck and were flown to USC University Hospital in Los Angeles. Judy said they were being held for observation with injuries that were not life-threatening.

According to NBC in Los Angeles the accident happened at about 9:30 p.m. PT as the crew was returning from working on a brush clearance project in the Littlerock area of the Antelope Valley near Palmdale.

The Associated Press reported that authorities said the driver of the crew carrier swerved to avoid hitting a dog and lost control. The truck rolled over a 15-foot an embankment, landing on its side.

Happy 4th of July!

2011-07-04T12:14:00.000-07:00

Back Home

2011-06-29T12:55:00.000-07:00

The crew put the final spike into the Wallow Fire and completed their tour. We are currently back home on 2 days of R & R and will go back available nationally on Friday.

New Assignment

2011-06-21T14:56:00.000-07:00

Headed to the AZ-Wallow Fire. Enroute to Reserve, New Mexico and should arrive there by evening hours.

When it's this hot, only a blizzard will do!

Another email

2011-06-21T09:02:00.000-07:00

Cheers to everyone out there working on that fire. You are out there saving God's country and I know you all have his blessings. Thank you so very much for what you do.

The Majors

Canon City Colorado

Another Email from a resident near the Duckett Fire

2011-06-21T08:57:00.000-07:00

I cannot begin to express my gratitude for all your help with controlling the fire. We own a cabin in the Brush Creek Estates area. I live in Pennsylvania and spent an agonizing week watching news of the fire as it spread to the south. My family and I prayed daily for the safety of the people fighting the fire. A cabin can always be rebuilt, trees can be replanted but a life is given only once. I thank Jesus for each one of you and may God bless you and keep you in His hand! God Bless! Phil

Demobbed and reassigned

2011-06-20T11:41:00.001-07:00

The crew was demobbed this morning from the Duckett fire and is staging at the Albuquerque Mobilization Center to be reassigned to the Wallow fire (in Arizona) as crews time out.

PHOTO's from the Duckett Fire...

Crew hiking into the Duckett Fire.

Smoke column on the Duckett Fire our first shift.

Crew helps a fellow firefighter from an engine who dislocated his hip

escaping a spot fire.

Snow in the morning the day we left.

Division Charlie

2011-06-18T11:25:00.000-07:00

Div. B has now become Div. C. The crews made great progress yesterday as the weather gave us a break as well as excellent Relative Humidity recovery last night. This morning the fire has laid down, and again the crews are making good progress but keeping a watchful eye out for any flare up's.

http://www.inciweb.org/incident/2306/

Email from local resident on the Duckett Fire

2011-06-17T04:15:00.000-07:00

June 14th, 2011

I am located near the Duckett Creek fire and this evening we were parked along highway 69 looking out at the fire with amazement about how much it had grown since yesterday. While sitting there the Laguna Hot Shot trucks drove by us and tears came to me. I just wanted to reach out and give them all hugs, Thank them and let them know they're in my prayers. MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

Roxanne

Division Bravo

2011-06-15T21:38:00.000-07:00

The crew was working on Division Bravo today doing direct line. Spotting was occuring today so the crew was pulled out due to safety concerns. They were reassigned to assist with structure protection prep work. The fire is over 2400 acres and has a HIGH growth potential with EXTREME fire behavior. The fire has about 10% containment today. Temps are nice and seasonal during the day, but still a bit chilly at night.

2011-06-13T22:27:00.000-07:00

The crew is still enroute to the Duckett (CO-PSF-801) fire. The location is south of Cotopaxi, west of Hillside Colorado. Tonight they are RON in Durango, CO. Tomorrow they will head out early to the fire, which is still a 4 hour drive. The information on the fire at 12:00 today was 500 acres, 0% containment and structures threatened. Actively burning in timber and grass fuels.

Duckett Fire

2011-06-12T19:31:00.000-07:00

The just finished a initial Attack fire on the district and has now been ordered for a fire in Colorado. The location of the fire is South of Cotopaxi, west of Hillside CO.

Back Home

2011-06-07T17:06:00.000-07:00

Crew was cancelled yesterday about halfway to the Sequoia. Crew is back home available...

Key Fire

2011-06-05T21:51:00.000-07:00

The crew has been ordered up for the Key Fire at Lake Isabella on the Sequoia National Forest . Last update the fire was 100 acres.

Home

2011-06-05T14:11:00.000-07:00

The crew is home from the Trilogy Fire. Monday unless on a fire, the crew will be attending Fire School (live fire drill) at Camp Pendleton (USMC).

CA-CNF-Trilogy

2011-06-03T10:40:00.000-07:00

The crew was sent to a fire near Lake Elsinore yesterday. They pulled a 24 hour shift and have been sent to a hotel to get some sleep. They will return to the fire tonight and probably be demobbed tomorrow. Sounds like the fire was around 200 acres and in a canyon. Fire was off of Temescal Rd x Trilogy Pkwy.

Crew is Home

2011-05-30T12:21:00.001-07:00

The crew got released yesterday and is off today for their Holiday. The fire was contained at 1,300 acres and was pretty much out when the crew arrived. The fire size was contributed to high winds even though fuel moisture's are a little high for this time of year.

Off Forest assignment

2011-05-28T09:50:00.000-07:00

The crew was called back last night from their day off. They headed up to the Cove fire, near Lake Isabella, CA.
http://www.inciweb.org/incident/2252/

Annual Family Day picnic

2011-05-23T07:56:00.001-07:00

The crew had their Annual Family Day yesterday. This is a crew tradition where family members can come and meet the crew hang out with their Hotshot and enjoy some good food before we are gone most of the summer. Thanks to all the family members for supporting their Hotshot(s)!
Master Grill Cook: Angel cooked some carne asada to enjoy with chips, salsa, rice, beans, guacamole and ceviche.

Some proud Hotshot Fathers spending quality time with their children.
(David is in the back left corner, Chris is with his daughter and Jim is with his son.)

A little Pinata fun for the kids!

Families

Family Day 2011

During the Family Day picnic, a little girl from from another picnic group fell in the creek and injured her back. The crew acted quickly and provided medical care. They assisted Lakeside Fire Dept. with extrication.

Available for assignment

2011-05-20T17:00:00.000-07:00

The crew has completed their Critical Fireline Refresher Training and is now available for assignment nationally.

Training

2011-05-16T16:55:00.000-07:00

The crew completed their classroom fireline safety refresher training last week. This week the crew was to spike (camp) out for their field training. Unfortunately, due to the cold and wet weather predicted, we had to cancel the spike out operation. The crew will continue to do their field training during the day as weather permits.

Descanso Regulars-Back Home

2011-05-04T23:34:00.000-07:00

The Type 2 crew Descanso Regulars are back home from Texas, the crew worked on the PK Complex in Graham and the Rockhouse in Ft. Davis.

Off to Texas

2011-04-19T22:28:00.000-07:00

A mix of the career Hotshots and Engine folks made up a Type 2 IA crew "Descanso Regulars" and are off to Texas to the PK West fire.

START DATE

2011-03-28T15:30:00.000-07:00

The crew's official start date will be May 8th, @ 0700-1730 (Sun-Wed) the first two weeks. First week will be classroom critical training and the next week will be field exercises.

2011 Crew Roster

2011-02-23T16:38:00.000-08:00

SUPERINTENDENT

Jim Huston

CAPTAINS

Chris Talbot

Steve Vigil

SQUAD LEADERS

Jamie Miller

Tim Kraling

SENIOR FIREFIGHTERS

Chris Green

David Rodriguez

Angel Preciado

Maria Mulholland~Coyne

APPRENTICE FIREFIGHTERS

Eddie Sanchez

Chris Machado

Nick Rees

Josh Peralta

TEMPORARY FIREFIGHTERS (SEASONAL)

Art Damasco

Robert Ordonez

Erik Molumby

Kai Gavit

*John Grijalva

*Tyler Jones

*Adam Atkinson

* New to crew

Start Date

2011-02-23T16:09:00.000-08:00

The crew start date for Fire Season 2011 is tentatively set for May 8th, 2011. All vacancies on the crew have been filled with returning district temporary employees and no new hiring was needed. A crew roster will be posted soon.

2011 Job Announcements

2011-01-11T15:31:00.000-08:00

Here is the current Job Announcement for the Hotshot seasonal jobs. *For city location, select Alpine, CA...
Click on the Hotshot Announcement number and you will be taken to a site that explains the position and how to apply.

Announcement TITLE SERIES/GRADE

OCRT-462-4-HOTSHOT-DT Forestry Technician - Hotshot GS-0462-4

___________________________________________________________________

OTHER DISTRICT SEASONAL POSITIONS

Announcement TITLE SERIES/GRADE

                   OCRT-462-3-FIRE-DT          Forestry Aid - Fire General GS-0462-3
                   OCRT-462-4-ENGINE-DT        Forestry Technician - Engine GS-0462-4
                   OCRT-462-4-PREV-DT    Forestry Technician - Prevention GS-0462-4
                   OCRT-462-4-HLTK-DT        Forestry Technician - Helitack GS-0462-4

2010-12-15T08:05:00.000-08:00

2010-11-25T15:32:00.000-08:00

2010 Crew Stats

Fire Season: 05/09/2010-11/19/2010
Crew Size: 21 personnel

291-Hours of Training
26-Fire Assignments
52-Days on Fires
24,000 Combined Acres
7, 015-Miles Driven
0-vehicle accidents
620-Hours of Overtime
1-Lost Time to Injuries
3-Minor Injuries

It was a SLOW Year!!!

End of the 2010 Fire Season

2010-11-19T16:08:00.000-08:00

The last couple of weeks have been uneventful and today is the crews last day on. Congratulations to Derick Purseglove, Jeff Ragsdale and Laura Barney in being accepted into the Apprentice Program.

Back Home

2010-11-04T17:32:00.001-07:00

The crew came home yesterday and will be on R&R until Sunday. Five other Hotshot crews replaced us in R-8 (Texas Canyon, Springville, Groveland, Vista Grande and Los Padres).

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

2010-10-30T19:27:00.000-07:00

Fish Trap

2010-10-26T11:27:00.000-07:00

The crew has been assigned to the Fish Trap fire near Slade, KY in the Red Gorge area on the Daniel Boone National Forest. The fire is about 800 acres with a projected 2000 acres with indirect fireline and firing operations. The first day of the fire had high winds mixed with dry conditions to cause the large growth. We received a large amount of rain yesterday and are expecting more today with high winds (15-20, gust to 40) and a tornado watch is in effect. We will be looking at drier conditions for the rest of the week until Tuesday when more rain is expected. As it stands right now, the crew cannot engage due to the weather condition and the dangers of falling snags and cliffs. Currently, we are just clearing the roads where snags have fallen. Fire activity in these parts can still pick up with the drier conditions, even with the rain we have had.

2010-10-25T17:08:00.000-07:00

The crew has moved to Winchester, KY. Assigned to a fire in Stanton, KY. The fire was recieving some moisture today, but not enough to make a difference. Wednesday's forcast is wind. Weather has been in the high 70s.

Redbird

2010-10-22T05:02:00.001-07:00

The crew will be headed to the Redbird District on the Daniel Boone National Forest for some new starts. Fire activity is begining to pick up on the forest.

London, Kentucky

2010-10-20T05:34:00.000-07:00

The crew has been staging on London, KY for the past 4 days. We have been doing some fuels projects in some beautiful country. We did make it to our first fire last night called the Green Pond #1 (7.1 acres) and they are expecting more in that area.

It's not over yet

2010-10-16T08:05:00.000-07:00

Just as we thought fireseason was slowing down an order came in yesterday. The crew has been ordered to Georgia for prepositioning. Along with 3 other Hotshot crews they will fly out of Ontario today on the NICC jet. More information will be posted as it comse in.

Slow

2010-10-13T08:49:00.000-07:00

Sorry for not posting in awhile. We have been extremely slow, only a couple of IA fires along the U.S./Mexican border. The crew actually entered into Mexico (Tecate) and worked with the Bombaros. Other than that it's been project work. The weather has been mostly cool and wet with a day here and there of heat and winds.

Also, Congratulations to Laura Barney, Jeff Ragsdale and Derick Pursglove who where promoted to Apprentices. The district Hired a total of 4 from the district plus two veterans.

CA-MVU-COWBOY

2010-09-02T21:54:00.000-07:00

The crew is assigned to the CA-MVU-COWBOY incident in San Diego County. The fire is 2 miles south of Lake Morena and 1 mile northwest of Campo, CA. Most of this rugged area hasn't burned since 1995-96. Last update on acreage @ 2000hrs was 300 acres and slowing down.

** Apology for not posting DEMOB from Tecopa incident on Tuesday **

Off forest assignment

2010-08-29T23:37:00.000-07:00

The crew was ordered last night for the Tecopa fire near Pahrump/Baker, CA. The fire is west of Highway 127 and north of the Old Spanish Trail toward Tecopa. On Sunday, things looked better. The fire around the town was virtually out and the blaze continued to burn in the Amargosa River bed. The fire is about 100 acres. Today the weather helped slow the fire down and winds shifted the fire back.

Two orders/ Two days

2010-08-21T16:09:00.000-07:00

The crew was ordered last night to the Largo Vista fire on the ANF. The fire was 100% contained by 0100 today. They have been doing mop-up and was to be released to stage tonight for further incidents. A large fire started near their home base, structure fire into the vegtation. They have been requested back to the CNF for immediate need. They are also with El Cariso & Palomar hotshots from the CNF. The El Monte fire that they are responding to is 2500+ acres in the area of the Cedar fire (2003).

Back Home

2010-08-11T10:23:00.000-07:00

The crew completed their 14 day assignment and is back home for R & R. The crew will have 2 days of R & R and will hit their normal days after for a 4 day weekend. Pictures will be posted shortly of our assignments.

Happy Birthday Smokey

2010-08-09T07:43:00.000-07:00

Today is Smokey's 66th Birthday. Please check out some Smokey's sites as we celebrate his birthday.

http://smokeybear.com/

www.facebook.com/smokeybear

http://fb.me/smokeybear

http://twitter.com/smokey_bear

http://youtube.com/smokeybear

Here is just a couple of ideas on how to celebrate the nations greatest forest icon.

-Join Smokey's Facebook or Twitter pages

-Send a note or make a birthday card for Smokey

-Upload any photos of yourself with Smokey or a Smokey fire warning sign to flickr or YouTube

-Relay any good deeds you did helping to prevent a wildfire, put out a campfire, or clean up debris

Day 9

2010-08-04T21:20:00.000-07:00

The crew completed their project cutting and chipping brush around the 3rd largest Sugar Pine in Ca., measuring 7ft and some inches in diameter. the project was done to protect the tree from fire as well as removing smaller trees that would starve the large pine of water. The pine was nick named "Big Bertha". The crew is now back in Willows, staging for possible lightning.

Day #8

2010-08-03T21:14:00.001-07:00

Yesterday the crew was taken on a staff ride to the Rattlesnake Fire Memorial, on the Mendocino N.F. http://www.wildlandfire.com/pics/memor/rattlesnake.jpg

Info on the Rattlesnake Fatality Fire.
http://www.fireleadership.gov/toolbox/staffride/library_staff_ride2.html
Today they hiked in to an area where one of the largest sugar pine trees in California. The are doing some project work near that site, and will be spiked out for a day.

They are still available and waiting to see if they get assigned somewhere.

**Remember to click on the Where are We link on the upper right side of the blog, to see where they are working**

Where to next?

2010-08-02T16:33:00.001-07:00

The crew has been moved up to the Mendicino N.F. in NorCal. The blog will be updated tonight with further information on the new assignment.

Being demobed

2010-08-01T08:32:00.000-07:00

The crew has been assisting in putting in direct handline on the Bull fire. Sounds like today they will be demobed from this incident. Not sure where they will go due to multiple fires in California.
The Bull fire is in the smoldering stage.

2010-07-30T08:55:00.000-07:00

The crew will be spiked out today after cutting direct handline. The fire is approx. 16,074 acres and 20% contained. The fire activity has been reduced to creeping & smoldering. Sorry for the basic information. Phone calls have been quick.

Division Echo

2010-07-28T21:27:00.000-07:00

The crew worked on Division Echo today. Sounds like it's pretty steep and very rocky. The fire activity on that side of the fire today was a little slower. The temps today were cooler and there was a little cloud cover. Distant thunder was heard, but no lightening in the area. The fire is burning itself out in certain areas due to the rocky terrain and the river.

Day 2 on Bull fire

2010-07-28T08:52:00.000-07:00

It was a quick phone call so the information I got was limited. They are working on the same division as El Cariso Hotshots from the CNF. The fire activity is extreme and they were pulled out of an area yesterday. Sounds like this fire is getting bigger. Here's a link to an online scanner (opens in itunes) http://216.66.69.100:3072/
The fire is burning on both sides (west and east) of the Upper Kern River, above Kernville. The fire is approx. 11,000 acres and only 5% containment. The fire is burning in grass, brush, oak and scattered pines.

CA-SQF Bull

2010-07-27T14:02:00.000-07:00

The crew has been sent up to the Bull fire on the Sequoia N.F. The fire is outside of Kernville, CA. At approx. 0600 the fire was 4200 acres. The fire is burning in grass and brush. The fire is very active and is projected to continue to move to the east. Click on the WHERE ARE WE link to see where they are at. Updates will be posted when I hear them. A link to a webcam is http://sierrafire.cr.usgs.gov/camHist/viewer09.pl?camera=breckenridge_2&lastFrame=true

Southern California Lightning Fires

2010-07-16T08:58:00.001-07:00

Yesterday the crew was sent to the Felipe incident, then the Puetz Vly incident. Multiple starts in So Cal due to the thunderstorm activity that moved through the area. At 8:30 last night they got an order to head to RRU. This morning last word was they were headed to the Skinner incident near Hemet, CA.

CA-ANF-Wright

2010-06-25T09:02:00.000-07:00

The crew spent the night at Mormon Rock firestation, near Wrightwood. Today they will be on dayshift for the fire. The fire they were ordered on is small (under 20 acres), but they have had multiple fire starts in the area so they may be used on another incident.

Headed to the Angeles NF

2010-06-24T15:52:00.000-07:00

The crew is en route to a fire on the Angeles NF, near Wrightwood. The size of the fire small, but sounds like there will be some extensive mop-up.

Back Home

2010-06-13T14:10:00.000-07:00

The crew has completed their two week assignment on the Horseshoe Fire and is currently back home on two day's of R & R. The crew will be back on duty on Tuesday and available for dispatch.

Horseshoe Fire Update

2010-06-07T12:36:00.000-07:00

The crew is on day 10 of their 14 day assignment on the Horseshoe Fire. The first week the crew cut contingency line along the forest boundary and behind the local community. The main fire was about half lined but terrain became too steep and dangerous to put anyone in. So, the plan was to wait for the main fire to come out and use the contingency line to fire off of to protect the structures and community. The fire has not moved much and has gone out on it's own in some places. This week the crew has been working in the South Fork Canyon monitoring the main fire as it backs slowly down to the South Fork Creek. The crew has put in some check lines to hold the fire at the creek and to prevent further spread of up canyon runs during the heat of the day. The fire is doing a great job on it's own cleaning up the forest floor and is creating a healthier forest. The Type 1 team will be transitioning to a Fire Use Team sometime this week. This team will monitor the fire and assist where needed similar to what we have been doing already.

For more info on the fire, go to www.inciweb.org/incident/1966/

Horseshoe Fire

2010-05-27T21:19:00.000-07:00

The crew has been ordered for the Horseshoe Fire in Arizona on the Coronado National Forest. The fire is about 700 acres but fire activity is high and weather outlook does not look favorable. The fire is 8 mi NW of Sonoita, AZ.

View Horseshoe Fire (AZ-TDC-CNF) in a larger map

Family Day

2010-05-23T21:09:00.000-07:00

Although today was on the chilly side, we had a good turnout for our annual Family Day. Angel Preciado was the Grill Master with Carne Asada and Polo.

FAMILIES

SOME FUN FOR THE KIDS

FAMILY DAY SOFTBALL

FAMILY DAY 2010

Thanks to all those who came in support...

New Crew Carrier Vehicles (CCV)

2010-05-21T17:09:00.000-07:00

The crew will be getting two new Crew Carriers this year which just arrived. It will still be 1-2 month before being placed in service due to radio installs, crew name and logo install, etc...

Family Day

2010-05-20T16:54:00.000-07:00

Sunday May 23rd is our Annual Family Day. This day gives the family an opportunity to meet the crew their love one will be working with and enjoy some good food. This day is also the day the crew become available for dispatch both locally and nationally. The festivities begin at 11:00am to 3:00 pm, providing we do not get dispatched. Below is a map of the Alpine Community Park where the family day will be held.

View Larger Map

Simulated Fire Training Completed

2010-05-20T16:38:00.000-07:00

The crew completed their field refresher training. The training was a mock fire that the crew spent three days on and camped out as if on a real incident. Each day we rotated the more experienced crew members into supervisor roles to allow them to see things from a different perspective. Below are some pictures from the 4 day incident known as the Horsethief Fire.

Line Construction

Hidden Dangers

Setting up for a Firing Operation

Planning the firing operation

Medical Extrication

Spike Camp

Hotshot Motel

Gourmet Breakfast

Fire Shelter Deployment

Portable Pump Drill

Night Line Construction

Training

2010-05-13T10:22:00.000-07:00

The crew completed their classroom portion of their critical fire refresher training. This included, crew SOP's, basic and extreme fire behavior, fire weather, basic chainsaw safety, hazard tree safety and entrapment avoidance to name a few.

Squad Boss Tim Kraling covers the chainsaw/hazard tree safety refresher

Next week the crew will do their field exercise. They will spike (camp) out for 4 days as if on an actual fire. They will cut handline, perform medivac procedures, fire shelter deployment and will be tested on several live scenarios. The crew will feast on MRE's during their spike operation. You can keep track of the crew's location on the SPOT link.

REMINDER

2010-05-03T08:19:00.000-07:00

The crew starts their critical training on May 9th @ 0700. We will be on a 4/10 schedule for the next two weeks (Sun-Wed 0700-1730). The first week will be classroom training and the second week will be spiked out in the field cutting handline.

2010 Crew Roster

2010-04-18T10:22:00.003-07:00

We have completed the hiring for the 2010 Fire Season. Listed below is the 2010 Crew Roster. Congratulations to those who were selected.

SUPERINTENDENT

Jim Huston

CAPTAINS

Chris Talbot

Steve Vigil

SQUAD LEADERS

Jamie Miller

Tim Kraling

SENIOR FIREFIGHTERS

Chris Green

David Rodriguez

Angel Preciado

Danny Naylor

Maria Mulholland~Coyne

APPRENTICE FIREFIGHTERS

Ryan Truett

Eddie Sanchez

Chris Machado

TEMPORARY FIREFIGHTERS (SEASONAL)

Derrick Pursglove

Dan Mason

Art Damasco

Greg Szalay

Jeff Ragsdale

*Laura Barney

*Robert Ordonez

*Erik Molumby

* New to crew

Crew Start Date

2010-03-10T09:24:00.000-08:00

The official 2010 Fire Season Start date will be May 9th, 2010.

Currently the crew has two vacant Temporary Employee (Seasonal) slots. We will be making selections sometime in the next 2-3 weeks.

Good News

2010-01-26T12:27:00.000-08:00

The Federal Wildland Fire Service Association has won the first battle in ensuring better pay and retention of Federal Wildland Firefighters. Thanks to the work of FWFSA in conjunction with Rep. Bob Filner (D-CA51), HR-4488 "National Wildfire Infrastructure Improvement and Cost Containment Act" was introduced to Congress. When passed, this bill will give Federal Wildland Firefighters; Portal to Portal Pay, Buy back Seasonal/Temporary employment time towards retirement, Classification from Forestry Technician to Wildland Firefighter. NOW is the time to contact your Representative and get them on board with HR-4488.

Application Time

2010-01-26T10:49:00.000-08:00

Here are the Hotshot Job Announcement Numbers:

Basic Entry Level (GS-3) TEMP-OCR-462-3-FIRE
* Generic for all Fire Positions (Hotshot, Engine, Prev.)

W/Fire Experience (GS-4) TEMP-OCR-462-4-HOTSHOT

Click on the above banner to enter the Forest Service Online Application site (Avue Digital Services)

We are currently looking at possibly 2-4 slots for the 2010 Fire Season. This can change depending on what Temp Employees return from last year and those transferring from an engine.

2009-12-15T12:08:00.001-08:00

Dennis Baldridge Retirement Celebration

2009-12-08T15:35:00.000-08:00

After 39 years of service, Dennis Baldridge has retired (not of his free will). The link below is his Retirement Celebration info.

Dennis Baldridge Retirement Invite

End Of A Slow Fire Season

2009-11-19T10:52:00.000-08:00

The crew finished up the 2009 Fire Season today. We will post the crew stats shortly although not very impressive compared to last year. This was an extremely slow year for us fire wise however, the crew accomplished treating 560 acres of hazard fuel reduction and removed over 200+ dead/hazard Oak Trees from trails and campgrounds on the forest.

The crew will celebrate the end of season, tomorrow night at the Old Spaghetti Factory in San Diego.

Red Flag Warning

2009-10-27T17:42:00.000-07:00

Weather Discussion:
A dry cold front will rapidly sweep through the area today, leading to strong north winds and much cooler weather for the next couple of days. The front will quickly drop into southern California this morning, and winds behind the front will quickly become strong by the mid to late morning hours. Sustained winds of 50-60 mph are likely this afternoon and evening in the mountains with some gusts to 70 mph possible in the passes and canyons. The winds will be especially strong along the I-5 corridor across the Grapevine, the San Marco Pass above Santa Barbara and other areas prone to north wind channeling. In the valleys, north winds of 35-45 mph will be possible. Additionally, widespread winds of 40-50 mph can be expected in the deserts, resulting in blowing dust and sand. Temperatures will be 20-25 degrees cooler today, which will keep the relative humidity above 20% this afternoon over most areas. Some light showers will be possible in the eastern Sierras, but otherwise skies will be sunny across the district. The strongest winds during this event are expected to occur this afternoon through Wednesday morning before winds taper off somewhat Wednesday afternoon. A brief period of light northeasterly offshore winds may occur late Wednesday night into Thursday morning, but will end altogether by Thursday afternoon. Warmer weather with less wind is expected to return Friday which will last into next week.

Laguna Hotshots 1st Annual 1/2 Marathon

2009-10-27T10:48:00.000-07:00

The crew conducted their first 1/2 marathon (20K or 13 miles) yesterday. This was actually suppose to happen last year but the crew was on fires. Squad Leader Jamie Miller was the coordinator for this run and named it the "Boulder Creek 1/2 Marathon". The marathon was optional and included most of the crew, Descanso Prevention Staff and Engine 41.

Click on map to see route

Survivors of the 1/2 Marathon

Honorable Mentions: 1st Place-Dan Mason, 2nd Place-Eddie Sanchez, 3rd Place-Angel Preciado

THE LAGUNA INTERAGENCY HOTSHOT CREW

No Apprentice Hire on Forest

2012 Apprentice Application Announcment

End of Season

In REMEMBERANCE

11 KILLED IN ACTION IN LINE OF DUTY

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CA-MVU-Great

Cancelled

CA-MVU-Chihuahua Fire

Crew released from the Hurricane Fire

CA-SLRD-Lightning Plan

Released from the Canyon Fire

Canyon Fire contiues

Canyon Fire info

CA-KRN-Canyon Fire

Released from the Hill Fire

CA-BDF-Hill

CA-BDF-Hill

Released

CA-CNF-Ridge

Point Fire

Grand Canyon

Released

CA-MVU-Eagle Fire

Still Home

Our Deepest Sympathies and Condolences to the Bonneville Hotshots and their families.

Thoughts and Prayers go out to the Valyermo Hotshots

9 firefighters injured in crew carrier crash

Happy 4th of July!

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New Assignment

Another email

Another Email from a resident near the Duckett Fire

Demobbed and reassigned

Division Charlie

Email from local resident on the Duckett Fire

Division Bravo

Duckett Fire

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Key Fire

Home

CA-CNF-Trilogy

Crew is Home

Off Forest assignment

Annual Family Day picnic

Available for assignment

Training

Descanso Regulars-Back Home

Off to Texas

START DATE

2011 Crew Roster

Start Date

2011 Job Announcements

2010 Crew Stats

End of the 2010 Fire Season

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HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Fish Trap

Redbird

London, Kentucky

It's not over yet

Slow

CA-MVU-COWBOY

Off forest assignment

Two orders/ Two days

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Happy Birthday Smokey

Day 9

Day #8

Where to next?

Being demobed

Division Echo

Day 2 on Bull fire

CA-SQF Bull

Southern California Lightning Fires

CA-ANF-Wright

Headed to the Angeles NF

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Horseshoe Fire Update