October 15, 1967 began as a beautiful sunny morning with clear blue skies as hot, dry Santa Ana winds swept the smog out of the air. But in the early afternoon, I looked up and saw a dark gray cloud in the otherwise cloudless sky. I knew immediately what it was, so I walked over the hill to look out over Worsham Canyon in the Whittier Hills just behind Whittier College and saw that a huge brush fire had broken out up toward Workman Hill. It appeared to be moving our way.
WWII-era B-17’s and TBM Avenger torpedo bombers were soon flying in low to drop chemicals on the blaze.
We watched the fire burn right up close to several homes, including one where friends of mine lived, but the firemen and the old war birds held the line. Although the fire went on to burn 2,000 acres, no homes were lost.
And I might add that in October, 1967, “To Sir, With Love” was getting lots of airplay on Boss Radio KHJ and its rival, KRLA. If I remember correctly, it even made the playlist of KWIZ, my favorite station, which played mostly “oldies” and an occasional “newie.”