Ventura County Fire Crew

The Wildland Division has started spring pile burning. This is annual maintenance on the "Sisar" fuel break in Upper Ojai. During the summer and fall brush is cut and stacked to be burned In the spring. During the month of May we bring in goats to remove the annual grasses to maintain the fuel break. During these burns our Fire Control Workers work on their FIrefighter 1, incident Commander Type 4 and Firing Boss position task books.

Crew 12 participated in the Ragnar running race last Saturday. They we're their supporting " Hope for Hazel". They were in the Ultra Division, meaning there were 6 members in the group. Total miles were 192 miles completed in 25 hours. They finished in 1st place in the Ultra Division, 1st place in the Public Safety Division and 9th overall out of more than 600 teams. The boys are Studs. Those participating were Crew Superintendent Nick Cleary, FCW's Bryan Robles, Matthew Nichols, Michael Rodriguez, Ryan Ingraldi and Tyler Hughes. Thanks to our support driver FCW Jake Matthews. They were able to raise $1500.00 to help support Hazel.

Ventura County Crew 11 & 12 with Hazel. A 6 member team will be running for Hazel in the upcoming Ragnar race.

Crew 12 is showing off their support "Hazel" bracelet. Hazel is a 5 year old girl from Simi Valley who is batteling cancer for the 2nd time. A "hope for Hazel" bracelet can be purchased for $5.00.

Crew 12 did our annual Labor Day hike up the Chumash trail to replace the American flag that sit atop the mountain.

Wildland Fire & Aviation update for August 28th. Fire season continues to be active and busy. Dozer 3 with equipment operators Chris Beery and Ryan Winchester have been assigned to the CA-SLU-Rey fire since August 15th. They have been constructing both direct and indirect Dozer line construction. Crew 12 has been assigned to the CA-LPF-Rey fire since the IA. Crew 12 has been spiked out on the fire line. They have been involved with direct fire line construction for perimeter control. Both copter 7 & 8 have been involved with fire suppression and recon missions on the Rey fire.

Some congratulation to some of our Crewman who have been recently hired by fire departments as firefighters. Kris VanderMeulen and Chris Fourtner to Oxnard City Fire Department. Patrick Schaeper to Los Angels County Fire Department. Those agencies and getting 3 excellent men who will be great Firefighters! Congratualtion to them for their hard work and career success

Crew 12 on the LPF-Pine Fire.

Crew 11 on the LPF-Sherpa Fire.

Dozer 2 on the Goose fire. A little back drop with the DC-10 making a retardant drop.

The summer fire season continues for the Wildland Division. Since our last update both the Handcrew and dozers have been out on fire assignments. Crew 11 and Dozer 2 went to the FKU- Goose fire. Crew 11 was reassigned to the LNU-Cold Fire after that. On Tuesday Crew 12 was assigned to the FKU-Mineral Fire.

The Wildland Fire & Aviation Division has been busy this summer. Some FB catching up to do. After the Sherpa fire Crew 12 responded to the LPF Mt Pinos Ranger Unit for the " Pine" fire. Crew 12 spent 11 days on the remote incident spiking out 8 out of 11 days. Most recently Dozer 4 spent 5 days on the ANF-Sand fire. Last night Crew 11 and Dozer 2 responded to the FKU-Goose fire. More to follow...

Crew 11 has responded out of county again. This time up to the "Sherpa" fire on the LP Santa Barbara Ranger Unit. Currently assigned to Division Z digging control line.