Esperanza Fire Claimed Lives of 5 U.S. Forest Service Firefighters

This Monday marks 20 years since the Esperanza Fire took the lives of five U. S. Forest Service Firefighters. Just attempting to remember the tragic loss.

At 1:11 a.m. that morning this wild land fire was first reported.

As the Esperanza Fire was growing in size U. S. Forest Service Engines 51,52,54,56, 57, and Brush 10 were assigned “structural protection and evacuation” duties. They formed a “strike team” that would lead evacuation from the area and protected homes and structures from the fire burning in and around the area of responsibility.

It wasn’t until 7:15  a.m. 0715 hours that the “burn over” occurred and firefighters on Engine 57 were severely burned.  These five firefighters would make the ultimate sacrifice near a partially constructed home known as the “Octagon House” in the Twin Pines community. They were protecting the home when they were overwhelmed with the fast-moving fire.

All efforts to save the lives of these professionals would fail. Every effort was made to save the five, but the valiant efforts and medical care couldn’t save these men. Four died  that day and the fifth later in the week.

This Arson Fire, propelled by Santa Anna Winds, would eventually burn some 40,000 acres. Its smoke spread as far south as San Diego.  The fire was extinguished five days later.

The fire service community in the region, state, and nation rallied around the families of the fallen firefighters. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger joined forces with the Riverside County Sheriff Department and authorized an unprecedented reward for the arrest of the arsonist who was responsible for the five deaths and the destruction of property.

The suspect was taken into custody, tried, convicted and sentenced. His name is intentionally omitted here as his cowardice doesn’t warrant repeating the killer’s name.

The funeral services and memorial were in Devore. Many thousands were on hand. Fire Service, Law Enforcement, National Guard, and countless federal, state, and local elected leaders were all in attendance to honor these five men and the families they would leave behind.

Today, Engine 57 and her crew live on in the hearts and memories of their families and friends, firefighters and those who fought and led the efforts to save lives and protect property at the Esperanza Fire.

Today, we remember with great respect and admiration those five firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice that others may live.

Mark  Loutzenhiser, Jess “ Gus”  McLean, Jason  McCay, and Daniel Hoover Najera all died from injuries sustained that day. Just five days later Pablo Cerda died at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center as a result of his injuries. We promised “never to forget” these men of the fire service then and we remember them here today.

These five names will live on in the hearts and minds of their families. They live on in the Fire Service around the state and across the nation. They will never be forgotten and when family and friends gather to remember these firefighters they will all know that they gave all to do their duty that day.