1 Firefighter Killed, 2 Injured in Calif.

Tampa Tribune ^ | 10/29/2003 | Associated Press

[Catspaw]

1 Firefighter Killed, 2 Injured in Calif.

SAN DIEGO (AP) -- One firefighter was killed and two were critically injured while battling a blaze that has charred more than 230,000 acres in San Diego County, authorities said.

It was the first firefighter death in the outbreak of fires that have ravaged Southern California this week. Sixteen other people have died, many of them trying to escape the flames.

The firefighter died while battling the Cedar Fire in San Diego County - the largest and deadliest blaze in California. It has burned nearly 1,100 homes.

Department of Forestry spokeswoman Cathy Fritz said she had no additional details on the firefighter's death.

Matt Mathes, regional spokesman for the U.S. Forest Service, said the firefighters were injured in Julian, a historic mining town known for its apple crop. He said the two injured firefighters suffered critical injuries.

'; get_ad2 += ' '; document.writeln(get_ad2); self.focus(); } //--> AP VIDEO Fire devours Southern Calif. neighborhoods Windows | Real AP VIDEO Schwarzenegger visits D.C. seeking aid Interactive Wildfires in Depth California Wildfires Latest News 1 Firefighter Killed, 2 Injured in Calif. Winds Ease As San Bernardino Fires Rage California Wildfires at a Glance Firefighter Says Blaze Like a Chessboard Fire Turns Calif. Mining Town Chaotic

Hundreds of firefighters have converged on the mountain retreat of Julian in the past 24 hours to make a stand against the Cedar Fire. Firefighters in Julian were told that their injured colleagues were flown out of the area by helicopter.

[Catspaw]

Found the story about the firefighter who died at the Tampa Tribune.

[Wolfstar]

I posted a thread on this just moments after yours, and mine was pulled by the moderator. Really terrible news. The toll keeps growing.

[mattdono]

I am still waiting to hear from the demoCREEPs how this was President Bush's fault. You know, the old...

What did he know?
When did he know it?

[MattGarrett]

Though the arsonist deserves the death penalty (how many times over now?), accomplisses include every envirowacko who push for this stupid "hands off the environment" policy which provided the fuel to his match.

[Simmy2.5]

Thank you for the death and distruction you morons have done to this state.

[Catspaw]

The toll keeps growing.

Property--houses, vehicles, etc.--can be replaced. But a human life cannot.

These firefighters are working beyond exhaustion, some being forced to take breaks, in a valiant attempt to keep the fires from spreading. That one firefighter was killed and two critically injured is horrible--it sounds like the fire caught up with them and they couldn't escape.

[missyme]

Living in the city of Vista, between Oceanside and Escondido the wind has been blowing like crazy the fires are out of control there are ashes flying everywhere, we need the military in San Diego more than we need them in Iraq

[FReepaholic]

>>...we need the military in San Diego more than we need them in Iraq...<<

The military is not trained to fight wildfires. They're trained to fight wars.

[Catspaw]

I don't think the people in California being affected by the fires can wait the 2-3 months to train military units in basic firefighting techniques. It's better to bring in already trained civilian fire units from the region to fight the fires.

[kellynla]

We have learned that the firefighter killed is from the San Francisco area. May God have mercy on this firefighter's soul. God bless this firefighter. Please keep these firefighters in your prayers. It may be another week before these fires are contained.

[missyme]

Fighting this fire is like a war, and what I mean is we could really use some of the fire fighting equipment used by the Military like the Black Hawk Helicopter, by the way the Navy and National Guard are now involved.

We also need more policing to ward off crazy looters.

[Catspaw]

May God have mercy on this firefighter's soul. God bless this firefighter. Please keep these firefighters in your prayers.

I'm praying for our firefighters every day. And have, even before 9/11.

[Hyacinth Bucket]

They have released the name of the firefighter killed in action, fighting the Cedar Fire in San Diego County.

Steven L. Rucker
38 years old
11-year veteran firefighter and paramedic
from Novato (Marin County, CA)
survived by his wife and two children

Thank you, Sir. May you rest in peace forever with the Lord. Prayers for your family.

[Hyacinth Bucket]

http://www.foxreno.com/news/2594176/detail.html/

"A fund has been set up in honor of Steven Rucker. If you would like to contribute to the Steven Rucker Fund, you can do so by calling the Bank of Marin at (415) 899-7338. There is also a fund set up at that same bank for critically injured Captain Doug McDonald."

[South40]

I watched moments ago as the C-130 carrying the body of fallen Firefighter Steven Rucker left Gillespie Field in El Cajon on its homeward flight to Santa Rosa Airport near Navato. It took off, made a long sweeping circle and did a fly-by over Gillespie. It was quite a somber moment; not a dry eye to be seen.

Here's a few photos.

[Catspaw]

God rest his soul.

5-5-5-5