Regional Forester's Heroism and Special Act Awards for actions on the Cedar Fire, October, 2003

Heroism

CNF E-39 Heroism: During the burn over on Oct. 29 (Capt. Brian Rhodes, Engineer Jim Stratton, and Fire Fighters Ramie Castillo, Jose Vigil, Joel Alvarado) CNF Engine 39 crew went above and beyond the call of duty. They maneuvered CNF Engine 39 through the burning fire front and up to the location of downed Firefighter Steven Rucker to provide medical assistance.

Special Act

Tom Brand special act: provided planning and implementation to contingency and control lines west of the communities of Pine Hills and Julian. Tom’s actions to slow the spread of fire to the east until additional forces could be placed for structure protection for the communities of Wynola, Pine Hills and Julian were instrumental in preventing potential loss of life and property.

Susan Decker special act: procured and delivered much needed food and water to crews protecting Pine Hills and Julian. Susan scoured staging areas and utilized her resourcefulness to find food and water for resources engaged in firefighting efforts in the Julian area.

John Forster special act: Assisted in scouting and implementation of contingency plans with dozers and crews to slow the east advance of the fire threatening Julian and Pine Hills. John’s actions were instrumental in preventing potential loss of life and property.

Keri Uglik special act: special act Assisted in scouting and implementation of contingency plans with dozers to slow the east advance of the fire threatening Julian and Pine Hills. Keris’actions was instrumental in preventing potential loss of life and property.

Jeff Robinson special act: After the burn over ensued Jeff was assigned as Incident Commander to the Orchard Incident. The Orchard Incident was the burn over incident within an incident. His duties were to provide medical assistance to the victims of the burn over. In addition preserve the burn over site and initially manage the site until relieved by the investigation team and document personnel related to the incident.

CNF E-33: Special act: Jim Talbot and Joey Ruise: were instrumental in assisting with planning and a tactical burning operation west of Santa Isabel to save several horse ranches. Without Jims and Joeys local knowledge of the area additional loss of life and property would have been certain.

Palomar Crew special act: Wes Ruise knowledge of the area and leadership and skill of his crew to slow the advance of the fire to the east and allow more resources to be deployed to protect Julian and Pine Hills Wes and his crews actions were instrumental in preventing potential loss of life and property.
Wes Ruise ,Jacob Gipson, Stan Hill , Maria Cordoba, Jim Snow, Bonnie Reynolds, Jesse Valenzuela, Troy Luhnow, Wesley Woodrome, Oscar Godinez, Augie Norte, Harry Jackson, Danny Ramirez, Robert Anderson, Dean Hoefler, Troy Sanders, Jon Brandl, Sharon McLaughlin, Reno Renteria, John Parkinson, Ryan Yoder.

Plumas Hot Shots special act: The actions of the Plumas Hot Shots to clear around the Camp Winacka Girl Scout ranch and all of its structures. Without Jack Sivilson and his crews work would have led to the loss of most of the Girl Scout facility.
Jack Sevelson, Fred Brewster, Mike Sherman, Ryan Bauer, Eric Atherton, Jon Azevedo, Brian Baker, Donovan Beatty, Peter Dorsey, Russell Grant, Chris Marson, James Maynard, Richard Schouten, Collin Shafer, Jordan Townsend, Shawn Washburn, Josh Wheeler.

Stanaslaus Hot Shots special act: leadership and skill of the crew to slow the advance of the fire to the east and allow more resources to be deployed to protect Julian and Pine Hills.
Felix Berbena, Brent Boltshauser, Jason Kerr, Dax Permenter, Greg Fryer, Brandon Hull, John Byrnes, Jeff Moore, Tony Maciel, Molly Ferguson, Brian Ambrose, Shaun Mcintyre, Becky Dusek, Kevin Anderson, Damon Carson-Hull, Dan Stark, Justin Grant, Mike Richards, Lucy Almers, Steve Baran.


El Cariso Hot Shots special act: The El Cariso Hot Shots provided structure protection to several ranches without the support of engines in addition the management’s leadership and skill of the crew to slow the advance of the fire to the east and allow more resources to be deployed to protect Wynola Julian and Pine Hills.
Jay Bertek, Steve Quisno, Montiel Tremaine, Nick Mendoza, Gabriel Gudino, John Armitage, Ken Anderson, Ryan Baker, Erik Blankenship, Rusty Duke, Kelly Kaitangian, William Junge, Adam Newbery, Arron Shook, Greg Thomas, Todd Weddle, Rhonda Willburn Ramirez, Jerry Zavala

Los Padres Hot Shots special act: Leadership and skill of the crew to slow the advance of the fire to the east and allow more resources to be deployed to protect Julian and Pine Hills.
Stan Stewart, Ken Henson, Steve Molacek, Tim Hennigan, Mike Black, Greg Taylor, Jess Dyckma, Brad Knowles, Chris Ford, Tyler Smith, Scott Chapman, Austin Kissinger, Kevin Cale, Justin Curtis, Brad Christensen, Brian Tai, Brad Mayhew, Brandon Vaughan, Steve Lowry, Jason Vels, Robert Thibault.

Summary Cedar Fire, 2003:

This chronicles a very brief summary of the first 72 hours that I (MW) was assigned as the Julian Structure Protection group. All of the firefighters lead a valiant effort to slow and abate the Cedar Fire. Resources were very aware of the consequences of not slowing the advance of the fire into Julian. At the conclusion of my 72 hr. shift the Julian Group extended from Santa Isabel through Julian and all the way to the Cuyamacha State Park.

Oct. 26 1100 I reported to Rich Hawkins (IC) and was immediately assigned to Julian Group. Meet up with the IA Operations Chief on Eagle Peak Road. Objective to hold fire to Boulder Creek Rd. Perimeter control to boulder creek road. I directed on Boulder Creek rd. some limited burning to the south.

Oct 27 The crews continue to prep Boulder Creek Road to the north. Resources exhausted by early afternoon. Continued working with short breaks.

Oct. 28 Fire spotted over boulder creek early morning hrs. Unable to contain spot fire and the evacuation order given to all communities to the east. Continued to prep boulder creek rd. to hwy 79 with dozers and crews into the night.

Oct 29 Resources engaged in active structure protection near Pine Hills community in morning. Contingency lines completed, started to burn out early in the am. Spotted over contingency lines in the morning relieved at approx. 1100 am.