• August 9, 2019

51 Years Later, LACoFD Remembers the 1968 Canyon Fire

51 Years Later, LACoFD Remembers the 1968 Canyon Fire

51 Years Later, LACoFD Remembers the 1968 Canyon Fire WPPRO Administrator

In collaboration with Fifth District Supervisor Kathryn Barger and the Probation Department, the Los Angeles County Fire Department (Department) hosted a ceremony on August 9, 2019, at Fire Station 97, to dedicate a special memorial plaque to honor eight lives lost during the 1968 Canyon Fire.

On August 23, 1968, eight members of Fire Crew 4-4 tragically lost their lives in the destructive Canyon Fire, which.  The Canyon Fire ravaged the area north of the foothill cities of Glendora, Azusa, Duarte, and Monrovia – burning over 19,000 acres.

“Today, we honored and paid tribute to the service and lives of our Department firefighter and his young crew lost on that fateful day,” said Fire Chief Daryl L. Osby.

  • Fireman Specialist George Thomas
  • Crewman Gregory Banks
  • Crewman Duane Battle
  • Crewman Larry Carlin
  • Crewman Arthur Mendible
  • Crewman Robert Rivera
  • Crewman William Rodriguez
  • Crewman Earl Walzer

From this dreadful loss, our Department established and implemented the “Downhill Indirect Checklist” which is still used today to ensure the safety of firefighters – and, to prevent tragic incidents like this from reoccurring.

Although they are no longer with us, the Department is humbled to preserve the memory of these eight courageous individuals.  Fire Fighter Specialist Brian Stevens of the Public Information Office shared, “this is an important opportunity for us to honor and recognize those that came before us and gave the ultimate sacrifice while defending our communities.”

Skip to content