I feel very lucky to have stumbled upon this video. It was a privilege to listen to these remarkable men speak. I'm not a fire fighter, but I'm a big believer in the preservation of history and learning from the past. What Rick described sounded like an oven to me. The close up waves, an oven has waves like that as it heats up. All three men said the same thing; with every tragedy lessons are learned. I'm very thankful all our wildland firefighters have radios now.
A guy I went to high school with in San Diego died in this fire. Ken Barnhill was19. I didn't know him well but he was very nice. Wow, he's been gone 56 years! Thoughts and prayers for all 12 firefighters and their families that died in Pacoima Canyon. For all firefighters who gave their lives and for all the brave firefighters protecting us now. 🙏❤️
I’m big into rock climbing and one of the best hidden spots is actually at the el cariso hotshots camp. I’ve heard rumors that the old timers were actually the ones that bolted anchors at the top of some of these climbing routes. I’ve placed new anchors atop of some of these routes and the anchors look on par with those from the late 60s/70s. Great interview with these men!
Fantastic presentation by the survivors. I really enjoyed listening to them and the stories each had to tell. Thank you for all you did! Here's another admirer for all that you did and the service you provided for the public.
I grew up just below the Veteran’s Hospital (Now Memorial Park) on Astoria Street and vividly remember this fire. Downed power lines up on top of the Sylmar mountain at the Nike base from the Santa Ana winds early in the morning, red and green fire trucks roaring up our street. I remember, even as terrified as I was as a 4th grader saying to my father, “I’m going to be a firefighter!”. The horrible news of these brave men didn’t deter me. I applied every year to the USFS after my 1975 high school graduation with Walt Sniegowski at the Little Tejunga station. I was shy of 18 by a couple of months and didn’t tell Walt. He said “Welcome to the crew, just have to confirm your age”. I was devastated! The following 3 years were affirmative action, so being a white male meant “Sorry”! Finally, I was picked up in ‘79 with the Texas Canyon Engine 3-11 crew, my dream realized, but I wanted more than anything to be a ‘Shot”! Got my wish because our 4X4 Model 60 Engine was broken so much, we were absorbed into the crew under Superitendant Ronnie Smith! Listening to these guys sure brings home the dangers we had to compartmentalize every time we heard the 3 beeps go off on the radio or station loudspeakers. God bless these fine, brave men, and all the others before and since who, like EC gave their lives valiantly and selflessly. Their experience no doubt helped ensure my safety during my time at TC. I just read Rich Leak’s harrowing account. He left his recovery details out, with what I’m sure were absolutely unimaginable pain and torture!
Im not a firefighter but did spend 30 years in aviation.. All the factors Rick mentions most importantly the visible gases plus the helo drop caused the explosion in my opinion? Anyone who ever worked around helos knows the static electricity they produce is enormous.. I think the static electricity from the helo ignited the gases and BOOM!!!! in my humble opinion?? To elaborate a little further Rick mentions how the Pilot was balancing the skid on a rock during the rescue.. I believe the Pilots purpose of placing a skid on that rock was not so much to balance the Helo but to ground the helo. Without doing that seemingly minor task would of knocked the first person who touched that aircraft 20 feet into the air with static discharge.. That I speak from experience...
I'll pass that info along - very interesting point. We've been trying to get some researchers interested again in trying to figure out the cause, but there is not much interest from the research community 50 years on. This may be an important component to address, thank you Mark.
@@fillmorefuelsvideos8806 the fire responded to topographical conditions and ran uphill, up the steep draw the crew was working in. the black was quite “dirty” as there was a lot of unburned fuel left. the superheated gasses were products of combustion shooting uphill in a convection column. static electricity had nothing to do with this fatality burnover event
sounds like you know more than I. Our event is weeks earlier. Good opportunity to promote. We expect 5,000-6,000 attendees over the two day event. thanks for your input
I feel very lucky to have stumbled upon this video. It was a privilege to listen to these remarkable men speak. I'm not a fire fighter, but I'm a big believer in the preservation of history and learning from the past. What Rick described sounded like an oven to me. The close up waves, an oven has waves like that as it heats up. All three men said the same thing; with every tragedy lessons are learned. I'm very thankful all our wildland firefighters have radios now.
A guy I went to high school with in San Diego died in this fire. Ken Barnhill was19. I didn't know him well but he was very nice. Wow, he's been gone 56 years! Thoughts and prayers for all 12 firefighters and their families that died in Pacoima Canyon. For all firefighters who gave their lives and for all the brave firefighters protecting us now. 🙏❤️
I’m big into rock climbing and one of the best hidden spots is actually at the el cariso hotshots camp. I’ve heard rumors that the old timers were actually the ones that bolted anchors at the top of some of these climbing routes. I’ve placed new anchors atop of some of these routes and the anchors look on par with those from the late 60s/70s. Great interview with these men!
Fantastic presentation by the survivors. I really enjoyed listening to them and the stories each had to tell. Thank you for all you did! Here's another admirer for all that you did and the service you provided for the public.
I grew up just below the Veteran’s Hospital (Now Memorial Park) on Astoria Street and vividly remember this fire. Downed power lines up on top of the Sylmar mountain at the Nike base from the Santa Ana winds early in the morning, red and green fire trucks roaring up our street. I remember, even as terrified as I was as a 4th grader saying to my father, “I’m going to be a firefighter!”. The horrible news of these brave men didn’t deter me. I applied every year to the USFS after my 1975 high school graduation with Walt Sniegowski at the Little Tejunga station. I was shy of 18 by a couple of months and didn’t tell Walt. He said “Welcome to the crew, just have to confirm your age”. I was devastated! The following 3 years were affirmative action, so being a white male meant “Sorry”! Finally, I was picked up in ‘79 with the Texas Canyon Engine 3-11 crew, my dream realized, but I wanted more than anything to be a ‘Shot”! Got my wish because our 4X4 Model 60 Engine was broken so much, we were absorbed into the crew under Superitendant Ronnie Smith! Listening to these guys sure brings home the dangers we had to compartmentalize every time we heard the 3 beeps go off on the radio or station loudspeakers. God bless these fine, brave men, and all the others before and since who, like EC gave their lives valiantly and selflessly. Their experience no doubt helped ensure my safety during my time at TC. I just read Rich Leak’s harrowing account. He left his recovery details out, with what I’m sure were absolutely unimaginable pain and torture!
Im not a firefighter but did spend 30 years in aviation.. All the factors Rick mentions most importantly the visible gases plus the helo drop caused the explosion in my opinion? Anyone who ever worked around helos knows the static electricity they produce is enormous.. I think the static electricity from the helo ignited the gases and BOOM!!!! in my humble opinion?? To elaborate a little further Rick mentions how the Pilot was balancing the skid on a rock during the rescue.. I believe the Pilots purpose of placing a skid on that rock was not so much to balance the Helo but to ground the helo. Without doing that seemingly minor task would of knocked the first person who touched that aircraft 20 feet into the air with static discharge.. That I speak from experience...
I'll pass that info along - very interesting point. We've been trying to get some researchers interested again in trying to figure out the cause, but there is not much interest from the research community 50 years on. This may be an important component to address, thank you Mark.
@@fillmorefuelsvideos8806 the fire responded to topographical conditions and ran uphill, up the steep draw the crew was working in. the black was quite “dirty” as there was a lot of unburned fuel left. the superheated gasses were products of combustion shooting uphill in a convection column. static electricity had nothing to do with this fatality burnover event
Seeking contact with the Loop Fire survivors regarding an event this Sept. at El Cariso Park
fred g. the 50th anniversary of the loop fire at el cariso park. event taking place on November 1st. thats the only info i know for now..
sounds like you know more than I. Our event is weeks earlier. Good opportunity to promote. We expect 5,000-6,000 attendees over the two day event.
thanks for your input
+Fred G. in that case i mite be wrong... .....