Owner: The Laguna Interagency Hotshots URL:http://www.lagunahotshots.blogspot.com/ Join Date: Fri, 16 Mar 2007 10:07:15 -0500 Rating:0 Site Description: The Laguna Interagency Hotshots are an elite 20 person Wildland Fire Crew that travels across the United States to forest & wildland fires. The crew is based out of the San Diego area in California. Site statistics:Click here
Night Shift 2007-09-04 22:16:00 The crew made it safely to the fire today. They were assigned to the night shift and sent off to the sleeping trailers to sleep. There wasn't much smoke visible today, so they weren't sure what they'd be doing tonight. Read more:Night
, Shift
, Night Shift
Orders in for the North Fire, ANF 2007-09-03 19:07:00 The crew has been ordered up for the North
Fire on the Angeles National Forest. They leave tomorrow morning at 0600.The North Fire began at approximately 2:30pm Sunday and has burned 700 acres in the Angeles National Forest. The fire is located just off Santa Clara Divide Road about 6 miles southwest of the town of Acton and 10-12 miles east of Santa Clarita. This is in the vicinity of the North Fork Station. It is burning in grass, brush, chaparral and some light timber. Evacuations of rural homes in the area south of Soledad Canyon are possible. The Santa Clara Divide Road and the Indian Canyon Trail are closed to the public. The fire is currently 20% contained.North Fire InciWeb Link
Congratulations 2007-09-27 17:58:00 Congratulations to Greg Pelsma who just accepted a Wildland Firefighter Apprentice position on the district.Wildland Firefighter Apprenticeship Program2007 WFAP Program Overview Read more:Congratulations
Still Home 2007-09-27 11:50:00 The crew has been home on base. We have been catching up on administrative stuff and maintenance on the station and tools. The crew has been reassigned to the Pine Fire but available for local and out of region incidents. The crew will be rehabbing dozer and handlines for the next couple of days. The rehab requires them to pull the cut brush back across the lines and place water bars on the slopes to prevent erosion.
Best Wishes 2007-10-01 19:00:00 Best wishes and a fast recovery for our 8 Heaps Peak Helitack brothers/sisters that were injured today in a crew haul rollover on the San Bernardino National Forest.http://rimoftheworld.net/columns/news/forestryhttp://www.knbc.com/slideshow/news/14244697/detail.html Read more:Wishes
, Best Wishes
CONDOLENCES 2007-10-10 13:41:00 We offer our sincere condolences and prayers to the Will Family and our Cal Fire Brothers & Sisters in the loss of Heavy Fire Equipment Operator Matthew Will who died in the Line of Duty. Matthew was severely injured when his dozer rolled over on October 8th during initial attack on the Colorado Fire in Monterey County. He succumbed to his injuries on October 9th.Cal Fire LODD Release
Going Away Party 2007-10-04 18:47:00 Below is a link to Dennis Baldridge's Forest/District going away luncheon. It will be on Nov. 2nd, at 11:30 am at the Viejas Casino "Harvest Buffet".Baldridge Flyer Read more:Going
, Party
Fire Season is Alive in SoCal 2007-10-21 15:46:00 Crew still enroute to the Ranch fire which is currently 1500 acres. http://www.inciweb.org/incident/1002/The crew is encountering strong winds (50+) and poor visibility causing slow driving on the freeway. They are starting to pass other new fires that have started. Currently they see a large column from Lytle Creek in San Bernardino burning towards Glenn Helen's Regional Park. Two large fires started back home, one is in Patrero and the other is in Witchcreek burning towards Ramona. Los Angeles has the one doing well in Malibu and the one we are going to as well as two on the Los Padres National Forest. Read more:Season
, Alive
, SoCal
Ranch Fire 2007-10-21 10:13:00 The crew has been ordered up for the Ranch
Fire on the Angeles National Forest. Red Flag Warnings for North East winds, Low Rh's and high Temps for the next couple of days.(AP) CASTAIC, Calif. An out-of-control wildfire is burning in the hills near the Golden State freeway in northeast Los Angeles County.Authorities say the fire has burned about 500 acres in the Angeles National Forest this morning fueled by extreme winds and dry conditions.The blaze destroyed a shed but County Fire Inspector Jason Hurd says no homes are immediately threatened, and the fire is burning toward the southwest away from the freeway.Fire officials are focused on protecting the Ventura County town of Piru and a condor preserve.L.A. County firefighters are assisting the U.S. Forest Service in battling the blaze.Wildfires were widely expected in Southern California this weekend as hot weather and heavy Santa Ana winds marked the height of traditional wildfire season.
Reassigned to the Poomacha Fire 2007-10-25 22:08:00 The crew has been demobed from the Ranch fire and has been reassigned to the Poomacha Fire back home on the Cleveland National Forest in San Diego. The fire is currently burning over the top of Palomar Mountain in the Agua Tibia Wilderness towards Prechanga.Here is the latest on the fire:This fire started October 23 as a structure fire on the Lajolla Indian Reservation. It has burned 38,500 acres and is 30 percent contained. 60 homes and 19 outbuildings have been destroyed. 2,000 homes remain threatened. Evacuations are in progress in Valley Center. The communities of Valley Center, Rincon, Pauma Valley, Hidden Meadows, Deer Springs, Vista and Palomar are threatened. This fire has resulted in 12 firefighter injuries. 1,406 firefighters are currently assigned to this fire under unified command with CAL FIRE and the Cleveland National Forest. The estimated cost of this fire to date is $1.6 million.
Shifts on Ranch Fire 2007-10-25 00:56:00 The crew has been working day shifts on the Ranch
Fire. The first two shifts we did scouting and prep work on structures in Dominguez Canyon at Lake Piru ahead of the fire in case we needed to do some defensive firing. Our last shift we cold trailed and mopped up, winds stopped and pretty much so did the fire. Below is our 2007 crew photo. (Missing from photo is: FF Andrew Kremenski , FF Dan Mason and Capt Steve Vigil).
Congratulations 2007-10-31 20:48:00 Jim Huston, captain of the Laguna Hotshots has been promoted to the Superintendent of the Laguna Hotshots. With the leadership legacy that Dennis Baldridge left behind, the new legacy has begun. Congratulations
Jim!!!!
Home for some short rest 2007-11-04 09:25:00 The crew is home for two days of R & R, and is to return to the Poomacha Fire on Monday Morning. This is to fill behind the crews that will be timing out at this time. We can be assigned up to 3 days then back home to shut down for the season as our temp employees time out on their 1039's.Current SituationTotal Personnel1,562Size49,410 acresPercent Contained95%Estimated Containment Date11/03/2007 at hrs.Fuels InvolvedChaparral, Grass, Brush, TimberFire BehaviorInterior burning in scattered locations and smoldering logs.Significant EventsImprovement and holding of existing line. Mop up and patrol continued on all other areas of the fire.OutlookPlanned ActionsContinue to construct and improve handline on the north flank. Mop up and patrol all other areas. Respond to citizen concerns, smokes and hazards.Growth PotentialLowTerrain DifficultyExtremeRemarksCAL FIRE Incident Command Team #4(Ault) is in Unified Command with the Cleveland National Forest (Joseph). Control strategies incl
2007 Crew Stats (May 1-Nov 8) 2007-11-08 16:23:00 160-Hours of Training13-Fire Assignments76-Days on Fires448,446 Acres 13,000-Miles Driven813-Hours of Overtime0-Lost Time to Injuries2-Minor Injuries Read more:Stats
Done 2007-11-08 08:30:00 The crew is home and if closing down for the season. We will be having our "End of the Season/Changing of the Guards (Dennis Baldridge-Jim Huston) Party" at the in the Gaslamp District in San Diego. Festivities begin at 19:00 and pleanty of hotels available in the area.
Crew's End of Season Party 2007-11-11 19:26:00 The crew had a great time celebrating a successful fire season. Below are some photo's from the Yardhouse restaurant and the Local Eatery & Pub on the Gaslamp.The new Supt. Jim Huston presents a plaque to Dennis Baldridge from the crew, reflecting on 17 years of Leadership as the crew's Superintendent. The plaque inscription Say's:A True Leader..."A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the quality of his actions and the integrity of his intent. In the end, leaders are much like eagles...they don't flock, you find them one at a time." Crew cartoonist Greg Pelsma Drew a sketch of Dennis.From the Descanso Ranger District and The Laguna Hotshots, Dennis received this nice Humidor with 100 cigars.Dennis gives his farewell speechChanging of the guards Let the Celebration begin... Read more:Season
, Party
Update 2007-11-18 13:00:00 The remainder of the crew that is career have been spread out across the district to cover the fire engines that laid off their temps. This following week all vacation and holiday leave has been cancelled to maximize coverage for the expected wind event. Not sure what to expect as the weather folks are split on their weather models. Some say we will have mild east winds while others predict the same event (76 + mph winds) as the event that started all the big fires last October. None the less we need to be prepared for the worst. As well as maximizing our forest coverage, several air tankers, helicopters, dozers and engine strike teams will be on stand by as well. Two Incident Management Teams will also be pre-positioned in California ready to take on any new starts. Read more:Update
2007-11-22 14:25:00
A Sad Loss 2008-03-04 01:26:00 Patrick Michael HenningJune 27, 1986 - February 29, 2008God looked around his garden and found an empty place. He then looked down upon the earth and saw your tired face. He put his arms around you and lifted you to rest. God’s garden must be beautiful he always takes the best. He saw the road was getting rough and the hills were hard to climb, So He closed your weary eyelids and whispered "Peace be thine". It broke our hearts to lose you but you didn’t go alone, For part of us went with you the day God called you home.Our Sympathy and Condolences to the Henning family and to our brothers and sisters on the Trabuco Ranger District for you loss. Patrick died in a vehicle accident on his way home from work. He was an Apprentice on our forest and an El Cariso Hotshot.
Another Hotshot Lawn Dart 2008-02-02 13:14:00 Congratulations to Brian Kirkman on his acceptance into the Alaska Smokejumper program. The Smokejumber program has received several quality Laguna Hotshot firefighters through the years and Brian is no exception. Brian has been with Laguna for several seasons and has been our Lead Sawyer. His has consistently been one of our most physically fit and his professionalism on the crew will be missed. Brian will no doubt meet or exceed the Laguna Hotshots reputation that we are known for with the Smokejumper program.
JOB OPENINGS 2008-01-10 17:36:00 The Laguna Hotshots are currently taking applications for GS-8 Captain (Announcement# ADS07-FSJOBS-IAHS-0708G). The application deadline is February 3rd, 2008.We could possbly have a GS-6 Squad Leader (Announcement #ADS07-FSJOBS-HSHC-06G) position as well. Deadline for Avue applications is February 3rd, 2008.We are currently taking names for GS-4 Temporary (Seasonal) Firefighters (Announcement # DE-OCR-0462-4-HSHC), you must apply on Avue. If interested email us your info or contact Capt. Steve Vigil or Squad Leader Chris Talbot @ (619) 659-5708 to have your name placed on our recruitment list for consideration.Apply on the Forest Service AVUE Digital Services Web Site
CONGRATUALTIONS 2008-03-20 13:21:00 Congratulations to Chris Talbot who accepted the Crew 41 Captain position and Jamie Miller who has also accepted the Crew 41 Squad Leader position.
Start Date 2008-03-21 17:09:00 The crew's start date for fire season 2008 is May 11th. There will be two weeks of training then we will be available for assignments. Currently we have a couple of vacancies and are reviewing those who have contacted us for temp jobs. We should be making those selections in the next couple of weeks. Once that is done, we will post the crew's roster. Read more:Start
2008 CREW ROSTER 2008-04-25 17:26:00 SUPERINTENDENT 4: Jim HustonCAPTAIN 41: Chris TalbotCAPTAIN 42: Steve VigilSQUAD LEADER 41:Jamie MillerSQUAD LEADER 42:Tim KralingLEAD FIREFIGHTERS: Angel Preciado, David RodriguezAPPRENTICE FIREFIGHTERS: Jennifer Kruzan, Chris Green, Katlyn Loftis, Scott McClanahanFIREFIGHTERS: Luke Withers, Andrew Kremensky, Kai Gavit, Christina Levesque, Felipe Marquez III, Ryan Truett, Eddie Sanchez, Jorge Chavarri, Dan Mason
Time for change 2008-05-06 20:11:00 For many years on the crew there has been the debate about having BLACK hard hats and how hot they get. The crew has had the black hard hats since about 1999 when the Superintendent Dennis Baldridge decided to change from the standard yellow for firefighters and red for overhead when the crew celebrated their 25th anniversary by returning to the original crew logo (Oak Tree) and the original ringer crew T-shirts of grey and black. Well, with new overhead in place it has been decided to change the color of our hard hats to something a bit cooler in the hot weather. We wanted something that would still blend the crew colors of grey and black and be original. Below is the new crew hardhat.
First Day 2008-05-11 21:26:00 Today was the first day on for the crew. They started their morning with the Work Capacity Test which requires them to walk 3 miles within 45 minutes or less while wearing a 45 lbs vest. The crew then spent the rest of the day getting their gear issued and going through the crew orientation. During the breaks, the crew would do sets of push-ups. Read more:First
, First Day
Day 2 2008-05-12 21:34:00 Today the crew went through basic first aid and CPR. The crew also got weighed with there gear to determine their helicopter and airline flight weight. They also covered lightning and electrical powerline hazards.
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