Sunday, August 20, 2023, marks the 30-year anniversary of the tragic line-of-duty deaths of County of Los Angeles Fire Department (LACoFD) Fire Suppression Aids (FSAs) Arthur Ruezga and Christopher Herman who lost their lives battling the Glen Allen Fire.
In honor of FSAs Ruezga and Herman’s memory and legacy, LACoFD personnel will participate in an “All Call,” moment of silence, at 4:16 p.m.
The Glen Allen Fire started as a vehicle fire that quickly spread to nearby brush in 1993. In collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service, the two agencies worked diligently to battle the wildfire.
After careful evaluation, the decision was made to engage on a very rugged and steep piece of downhill terrain, cutting along an underslung line. Tragically, the crew was burned over, taking the lives of FSAs Ruezga and Herman, and critically burning two other crew members, current Fire Fighters Chris Barth and Gabe Larios. Five others narrowly escaped unharmed.
LACoFD vowed to never forget that fateful afternoon; the courage and sacrifice of these brave FSAs have not been in vain nor forgotten as well as the strength of Fire Fighters Barth and Larios for continuing to share their experience.
As a result of the Glen Allen Fire, there have been many updates and improvements in the way the Department trains, responds to, and handles wildland incidents.
