Marin Firefighter News

 The arsonist responsible for touching off a massive 2006 blaze that killed five firefighters has been convicted of murder. Raymond Oyler, a 38-year-old former auto mechanic, was found guilty of five counts of first-degree murder, one for each of the five US Forest Service firefighters who died in the 2006 Esperanza Fire in eastern Riverside County. The five firefighters died defending a home that had been overrun by the fast-moving blaze. Oyler was also convicted of 20 counts of arson, meaning he could face the death penalty.

As California approaches another dreaded fire season, tax-weary legislative leaders have put a hold on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's contentious plan to impose a surcharge on property insurance bills that could raise $278 million a year for more crews, engines and helicopters.

Hundreds of firefighters, police officers and motorists saluted as the engine led a procession of 39 fire vehicles through three cities to Montecito Memorial Park in Colton, where Capt. Creig Nece was laid to rest Tuesday. Nearly 1,000 people gathered at Calvary Chapel of Redlands for a two-hour service remembering the fire captain as a jokester, an adventurer and a devoted family man.

Fresno firefighters have been learning new techniques this week to help them fight high-rise infernos. The goal: to get enough water pressure in hoses to spray above 10 stories. Fresno is one of more than 100 departments affiliated with CPF's co-sponsored California Fire Fighters Joint Apprenticeship Committee.

In what appears to be a focused bid to break its firefighters union, the city's negotiators Friday rejected even the most fundamental concessions proposed by Vallejo Firefighters Local 1186. The city's hard-line stance comes days before a federal bankruptcy judge is expected to take the unprecedented step of voiding lawful collective bargaining agreements.