Paul Gleason, Bio Bits
1946 - 2003

Golden Pulaski Lifetime Achievement Award, 2001, for spending a federal service career dedicated to wildland fire management. Presented at the 2001 National Hotshot Workshop.

Wildland Fire Safety Award, 1998, presented by International Association of Wildland Fire at the Second International Wildland Fire Safety Summit.

Special Service Award, 1998, for On-the-Ground Excellence for completing Regional Fuels Strategy, overseeing land management planning issues, developing innovative fire management direction for the Region, and assisting other Forests around the country with fire planning. Forest Service Region 2, Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests, CO.

Certificate of Merit, 1996, presented for extraordinary effort in integrating fire into the Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland Draft Forest Plan and EIS, CO.

Sustained Superior Performance, November 1993, for managing fire and fuels programs on the Redleather and Estes Poudre Ranger Districts, Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests, CO.

Superior Service, Heroic Action, 1991, for lifesaving actions during the Dude Fire (6/26/90), Tonto National Forest AZ.

Certificate of Appreciation, 1989, for outstanding leadership and support to the National Wildfire Coordinating Group in course development and revision.

Certificate of Appreciation, 1988, for outstanding efforts with Women in Fire Management: A Strategic Vision workshop.

Sustained Superior Performance, 1988, for direction of Zig Zag IHC through a very trying and hazardous 1987 fire season.

Paul was Guadalupe National Park Burn Boss for the Bowl East and West Rx fires (Complexity Level 1).  Larry Henderson, Park Superintendent, 11/98 said to Paul, "You helped us make history here at Guadalupe Mountains by assisting us in completing the park's first management burn in the high country relict conifer forest... Without expertise such as yours, it would not have been possible."

Paul planned and executed the first Rx burn for The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in CO, and provided on-going consultation in development of the fire management plan at Phantom Canyon Preserve. Mark Burget, TNC Colorado State Director 1996-2003, said to Paul, "Thanks to you, we were able to turn our plans into reality."

Paul provided Ocala National Forest Oversight and gave direction to Line Officers and Fire Management Officers during initial and extended fire suppression attack for the National Forests of Florida. 4-7/98.

Paul was a primary member of the interagency committee, the RX 540 Steering Committee, guiding the development and presentation of RX 540, Applied Fire Effects, a premier national course for fire use management. 1997-2003.

Paul was an active member on the NWCG Fire Weather Working Team's Spot Forecast Committee, collaborating with members from the National Weather Service, National Park Service and Forest Service to update the spot forecast program.

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Memorial Service in Colorado

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Memorial Service in Southern California

There was a gathering of peers at the site of the Loop Fire on the Angeles NF later in March, 2003. The Loop Fire was a pivotal moment in Paul Gleason's career and a fitting location for friends and peers to honor him. Paul was a crewmember on the Dalton Hotshots which declined the assignment to coldtrail downhill on that fire. The El Cariso Hotshots took the assignment, the rest is sad history.

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Memorial Service in Oregon

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