Arson-set Esperanza Fire kills 5 firefighters engaged in structure protection

PHOTO MIKE MEADOWS The wind-whipped Esperanza Fire burned more than 40,000 acres in Riverside County, Calif., in just four days.

On Oct. 26, an arsonist set the Esperanza Fire, which burned more than 40,000 acres in Riverside County, Calif., in just four days. Five firefighters were killed as a result of the fire, making it the worst wildfire/firefighter disaster since the Storm King Mountain tragedy that took the lives of 14 firefighters in 1994.

A Deadly Start
The Esperanza Fire was set at approximately 0100 hrs in a river wash near Cabazon, Calif., about 90 miles east of Los Angeles. Pushed by Santa Ana winds that occasionally gusted up to 50 mph, the fire quickly burned through thousands of acres and encroached upon numerous structures. The fire drove hundreds of area residents from their homes, and hundreds more were trapped and unable to evacuate.

Within 12 hours of its ignition, approximately 1,000 firefighters were assigned to the incident, which had already burned 10,000 acres. Assigned personnel included five firefighters from U.S. Forest Service (USFS) San Bernardino National Forest Engine 57.

While the crew provided structure protection to a home on Gorgonio View Road in the Twin Pines community, the fire rushed up the hillsides, burning over the Engine 57 crew as they tried to retreat to their engine. The crew included Fire Captain Mark Loutzenhiser, 44; engineers Jason McKay, 27, and Jess McLean, 27; and firefighters Daniel Hoover-Najera, 23, and Pablo Cerda, 23. McKay, Hoover-Najera and McLean died at the scene. Loutzenhiser and Cerda were transported by air ambulance to the Arrowhead Region Hospital’s Burn Unit. Loutzenhiser died later that day. Cerda, who suffered burns over 90 percent of his body, died on Oct. 31.

A report recently released by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF) stated that the combination of the wind, slope of the terrain and type of ground cover created an explosive fire situation that led to the death of the five firefighters. The report also indicated that the firefighters were overrun by flames less than an hour after discussing strategies, conditions and safety measures with a superior.

Fire Rages On
At 1900 hrs, the CDF Command Team 8, under the leadership of Incident Commander Rick Henson, assumed command of the Esperanza Fire. An incident command post was established at Noble Creek Park. Don Feser’s USFS Type 1 Team was also assigned to the fire on a standby basis.

Engine 57 Memorial Service Approximately 10,000 people attended a memorial service to honor the five fallen firefighters of Engine 57 on Nov. 5 at the Hyundai Pavilion in Devore, Calif. The ceremony began with a procession of USFS vehicles, each with the words "In memory of Engine 57 firefighters, 10-26-2006" embossed on its door. The USFS honor guard, with bagpipers and drummers, marched underneath a large screen displaying a picture of a firefighter boot and the words "Always Remember" as the service began. At the ceremony’s conclusion, a group of USFS airplanes and helicopters flew over the amphiteather as bagpipers played "Amazing Grace." If you would like to donate to the families of the fallen firefighters, please contact the Esperanza Firefighter Assistance Fund at P.O. Box 1645, Riverside, CA 92502. For more information, call 951/955-1010, 951/955-1030 or 951/955-1050. Additionally, the Wildland Firefighter Foundation (www.wffoundation.org) has set up a fund specific to the Engine 57 tragedy. Send donations to the Wildland Firefighter Foundation, 2049 Airport Way, Boise, Idaho 83705, noting on the check if you would like the donation to go to a specific family, or to the general Engine 57 fund.

Extreme fire behavior continued into the next day, as winds whipped through the area and humidity remained in the single digits and teens. Within 18 hours, the fire had charred 24,000 acres and 10 structures and was only 5 percent contained. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in Riverside County on Oct. 27.

More than 2,000 fire personnel were assigned to the fire on Oct. 28. It had burned nearly 40,000 acres, but rising humidities aided firefighting efforts. By the following day, the nearly 3,000 personnel assigned to the fire had attained 70 percent containment of the fire.

Under Control & Under Arrest
The Esperanza Fire was 100 percent contained at 1800 hrs on Oct. 30. The fire ultimately charred 40,200 acres over 63 square miles, 34 homes and 20 outbuildings. The cost to date is reported at $10.3 million. In addition to the five fatalities, there were 17 injuries.

Cooperating agencies included the CDF, Riverside County Sheriff, USFS, California Highway Patrol, American Red Cross, Banning Police Department, San Bernardino Forest, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Office of Emergency Services and the Pechanga Fire Department.

On Oct. 31, Riverside County Sheriff’s Department arrested Raymond Lee Oyler, a 36-year-old auto mechanic. Oyler was charged with five counts of murder against federal fire service firefighters, 11 counts of arson and 10 counts of using an incendiary device to commit a felony. On Nov. 2, Oyler entered a plea of not guilty to all charges.

Janelle Foskett is an associate editor of Wildland Firefighter magazine.