Thursday, August 20, 2026, marked the 33rd anniversary of the tragic line-of-duty deaths of Fire Suppression Aids (FSAs) Arthur Ruezga and Christopher Herman, who lost their lives while battling the Glen Allen Fire in the foothills above Altadena.
The Glen Allen Fire began as a vehicle fire on the afternoon of Friday, August 20, 1993, and quickly spread into the surrounding brush. The County of Los Angeles Fire Department (LACoFD), in coordination with the U.S. Forest Service, responded to battle the growing wildfire. FSAs Ruezga and Herman, along with Crew 2-2, were transported by helicopter from Fire Camp 2 to assist with fire suppression efforts.
Approximately 35 minutes into their assignment, the crew paused to evaluate the fire, assess their options, and consider the associated safety risks. The decision was made to engage the fire on a steep, rugged section of downhill terrain while constructing an underslung fireline.
Tragically, the crew was overrun by fire. FSAs Ruezga and Herman lost their lives, while two other crew members, Chris Barth and Gabe Larios, suffered critical burn injuries. Five additional crew members narrowly escaped unharmed.
Our Department family has vowed to never forget that fateful afternoon. The courage and sacrifice of FSAs Ruezga and Herman continue to be remembered, while the strength and resilience of Fire Fighters Barth and Larios, who have continued to share their experiences, serve as a lasting reminder of the incident and its impact.
The Glen Allen Fire also led to significant changes and improvements in the way our Department trains for, responds to, and manages wildland fire incidents. The lessons learned from that tragic day continue to influence wildland firefighting practices and reinforce the importance of firefighter safety.
