U.S. Forest Service first-responders to the Esperanza Fire fatalities of Oct. 26, 2006, pose after being honored last Saturday. From left, Richard Gearhart, Chris Fogle and Freddie Espinoza; second row, John Fakehany, David Goldstein, Ryan Henninger, Chris Hardy, Darrell Arellano, Ryan Gonzales, Daniel Diaz, Adan Castro, Doug Donahoo, Jarod Baker, Paul Jacobs, Ian Governale, Shawn Evans and Rob Rambayon; back row, Mike Christian, Daniel Sepulveda, Josh Richardson, Aaron Reyes and Dave Patrick. Photo by Andy Verdugo, USFS By Dan Felix San Jacinto Ranger District Fire Management Officer
A memorial to the five fallen Forest Service firefighters has been maintained on Highway 74 in Valle Vista for the past five years. Dianne and Eddie Verdugo, retired captain of Engine 53, erected and kept the memorial. They frequently express the thought, from Philippians 1:3, “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you ...” Photo by Kirsten TorrezOn Saturday night, Oct. 22, family, friends and colleagues gathered for a barbecue in Garner Valley to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the Esperanza Fire fatalities.
As part of the remembrance of the five fallen firefighters, the San Jacinto Ranger District honored the firefighters who took part in the immediate rescue and recovery effort on that day. Their peers presented them with “challenge coins,” a tradition of some significance in wildland fire circles.
Also, a very special surprise was the Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack that was bestowed on each honoree. In a letter to each person, she commended them “for the courage and determination ... displayed” in the aftermath of the tragedy.
Those honored were: Engine 51
Richard Gearhart
Shawn Evans
John Fakehany
Eddie Harper
Darrel Arrelano
Mike Christian
Engine 52
Chris Fogle
Matt Boss, engineer on the San Jacinto Ranger District’s Engine 52, stops and mourns the loss of his friends and colleagues from Engine 57. The memorial was located at the Alandale station. File photo
Josh Richardson
Paul Jacobs
Aaron Reyes
Engine 54
Anna Dinkel
Josh Spoon
Jarod Baker
Adan Castro
Ian Governale
Engine 56
Freddie Espinoza
David Goldstein
Doug Donahoo
Ryan Henninger
Chris Mathews
March AFB Brush-10
Rod Rambayon
Gary Bicondova
Patrol 52
Chris Hardy
Helitack 535
Daniel Sepulveda
Daniel Diaz
Randy Ruiz
Ryan Gonzalez
Helitack 535 Pilot
Chris Templeton
Helitack 301 Pilot
Dave Patrick
Helitack 305 Pilot
George Karcher
Division Chief
Norm Walker
Tragedy struck Hill residents and the U.S. Forest Service when five firefighters — Capt. Mark Loutzenhiser, Jason McKay, Jess McLean, Daniel Najera and Pablo Cerda — were fatally burned while attempting to protect this home on Gorgonio View Drive in Twin Pines. The crew’s burned out truck is visible in center. File photo
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