The last of the three Ventura County firefighters injured while fighting the Jesusita Fire in Santa Barbara was released this week from a Sherman Oaks burn center, authorities said. Firefighter Robert Lopez, 44, is recovering at home. He is a proud member of Ventura County Professional Firefighters Local #1364.
The tough times we're all facing got tougher when voters rejected a package of budget-balancing ballot propositions. Their anger is understandable, but the voters’ judgment will have a profound impact on firefighters.
Thanks to a strong push from California Professional Firefighters and technical support from the IAFF, a new standard has been adopted that will reduce first responders' risk of exposure to infectious disease.
Southern California fire officials have rolled out an updated fire preparation and evacuation plan to help citizens prepare for what's expected to be an exceptionally dangerous fire season. "Ready ... Set ... Go" emphasizes the need for homeowners in high-risk areas to make their homes fire safe and evacuate as early as possible. The new plan formalizes the fire service's unconditional rejection of the risky Australian model called "stay-and-defend".
A Riverside man found guilty of touching off a 2006 blaze that killed five firefighters has received the death penalty. Raymond Oyler, 38, was convicted of multiple counts of murder for starting the 2006 Esperanza Fire. Five U.S. Forest Service firefighters died battling the deadly blaze.