UPPER LAKE — The 20 firefighters who comprise the Elk Mountain Hand Crew were recently recognized for their excellent work on the recent Hunter Fire incident by Mendocino National Forest Supervisor Thomas A. Contreras.
Contreras recognized the crew for helping to secure an anchor on the spot fire that crossed the Black Butte River on July 28, and for constructing over 1.5 miles of handline in a single shift to help secure the northern perimeter of the fire.
Crew members performed these tasks safely in extremely steep and rugged terrain under hazardous and arduous conditions. Both incident commanders of the two fire teams that worked the Hunter Fire verbally commended the excellent performance of the crew.
The Elk Mountain Crew, organized just this spring, traveled to its first fire on July 17.
Since that time it has spent more than 50 days and 1,000 hours fighting fires, with few days off.
The crew is made up of 20 specialized firefighters, a superintendent, two captains two squad leaders, two senior firefighters and 13 crew members.
Most of the crew members live locally and work at other jobs during the winter months.
Elk Mountain Crew 4”s Captain Joe Sean Kennedy said that the success of the crew was due to the leadership of the crew superintendent.
Crew Superintendent Bret Murphey also credited acting District Fire Management Officer Craig Dado and the support from Forest Fire Staff Officers Dave Sinclear and Steve Decker.
As the 2006 fire season draws to a close in Northern California, forest officials say they”re thankful for the good work of their firefighting forces in suppressing wildland fire and helping protect property and natural resources.
