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Collection of Historical Photographs, Loop Fire

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El Cariso Hot Shots 1966

El Cariso Hot Shots 1966.

El Cariso Hot Shots 1966

El Cariso Hot Shots 1966.

 
Smoke from the Loop Fire

Smoke from the Loop Fire.

Fire behavior mid slope on the Loop Fire

Fire behavior mid slope on the Loop Fire.

 
Tanker drop on the Loop Fire

Tanker drop on the Loop Fire.

Tanker drop on the Loop Fire

Tanker drop on the Loop Fire.

 
Smoke visible as Loop fire progresses downhill

Smoke visible as Loop fire progresses downhill.

Smoke visible as Loop fire progresses downhill

Smoke visible as Loop fire progresses downhill.

 
Smoke and flames visible as Loop fire continues to spread

Smoke and flames visible as Loop fire continues to spread.

Tanker drop on the Loop Fire

Tanker drop on the Loop Fire.

 
Flames visible close to neighborhood on Loop Fire

Flames visible close to neighborhood on Loop Fire.

Flames visible close to neighborhood on Loop Fire

Flames visible close to neighborhood on Loop Fire.

 
Flames visible close to neighborhood on Loop Fire

Flames visible close to neighborhood on Loop Fire.

Large smoke column as Loop Fire burns

Large smoke column as Loop Fire burns.

 
Large smoke column as Loop Fire burns

Large smoke column as Loop Fire burns.

Large smoke column as Loop Fire burns

Large smoke column as Loop Fire burns.

 
Large smoke column as Loop Fire burns

Large smoke column as Loop Fire burns.

Large smoke column as Loop Fire burns

Large smoke column as Loop Fire burns.

 
Large smoke column as Loop Fire burns

Large smoke column as Loop Fire burns.

Large smoke column as Loop Fire burns

Large smoke column as Loop Fire burns.

 
Large smoke column as Loop Fire burns

Large smoke column as Loop Fire burns.

Looking up at chimney canyon from Pacoima Canyon Road

Looking up at chimney canyon from Pacoima Canyon Road.

 
Walking in the chimney canyon where fatalities occurred

Walking in the chimney canyon where fatalities occurred.

Looking down the chimney canyon fatality site

Looking down the chimney canyon fatality site.

 
Standing in the chimney canyon fatality site

Standing in the chimney canyon fatality site.

Standing in the chimney canyon fatality site

Standing in the chimney canyon fatality site.

 
Looking down the chimney canyon

Looking down the chimney canyon.

Walking out the chimney canyon

Walking out the chimney canyon.

 
Looking south from entrapment area

Looking south from entrapment area.

Looking north from the bottom of the chimney canyon

Looking north from the bottom of the chimney canyon.

 
Looking North up the chimney canyon

Looking north from the bottom of the chimney canyon.

Terrain in the chimney canyon

Terrain in the chimney canyon.

 
Slopes in the entrapment area

Slopes in the entrapment area.

Looking down at Pacoima Canyon Road

Looking down at Pacoima Canyon Road.

 
Structure engine in neighborhood at the edge of the Loop Fire

Structure engine in neighborhood at the edge of the Loop Fire.

County crews working at the bottom of the Loop Fire.

County crews working at the bottom of the Loop Fire.

 
Helicopter and flames in the fatality area.

Helicopter and flames in the fatality area.

Investigators along the ridge

Investigators along the ridge.

 
Investigators discussing on the ridge above fatality site

Investigators discussing on the ridge above fatality site.

Looking up the chimney canyon after the fire

Looking up the chimney canyon after the fire.

 
Looking down the chimney canyon after the fire

Looking down the chimney canyon after the fire.

Markers in the fatality area during investigation

Markers in the fatality area during investigation.

 
Looking down the chimney canyon after the fire

Looking down the chimney canyon after the fire.

Looking down the ridge after the fire

Looking down the ridge after the fire.

 
View of subdivision from the top of the Loop Fire area

View of subdivision from the top of the Loop Fire area.

View of the community at the base of the Loop Fire area

View of the community at the base of the Loop Fire area.

 
Looking down at development near the base of the Loop Fire area

Looking down at development near the base of the Loop Fire area.

 

Los Angeles Times Newspaper Photos

Newspaper photo and article of three survivors separated from other crewmembers. One man breaks into tears as he recalls he couldn't help.

Newspaper photo and article of three survivors separated from other crewmembers.

Newspaper photo and three survivors sitting in chairs at Memorial Hospital.

Newspaper photo of three survivors saying, "Fire just blew up."

 
Attendants and doctors care for injured firefighters at hospital in two news photos taken the day of incident.

Attendants and doctors care for injured firefighters at hospital in two news photos taken the day of incident.

Montrose Rescue Team member holds a blackened canteen at site where 10 firemen died.

Montrose Rescue Team member holds a blackened canteen at site where 10 firemen died.

 
Ambulance attendants and nurses transfer Bob Chaurnard, injured firefighter, to ambulance to be transported to hospital.

Ambulance attendants and nurses transfer Bob Chaurnard, injured firefighter, to ambulance to be transported to Memorial Hospital.

Rescue team remove bodies of firefighters from helicopters at the end of Pacoima Canyon Road.

Rescue team remove bodies of firefighters from helicopters at the end of Pacoima Canyon Road.

 
Ambulance crew transports injured firefighter Steve Bowman on a gurney to General Hospital.

Ambulance crew transports injured firefighter Steve Bowman on a gurney to General Hospital.

Photo of flames burning heavily on a hillside behind buildings near the Olive View Sanatorium.

Photo of flames burning heavily on a hillside behind buildings near the Olive View Sanatorium.

 

NWCG Latest Announcements

2024 Wildland Fire Emergency Medical Service Awards

Date: May 22, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Emergency Medical Committee

The NWCG Emergency Medical Committee (EMC) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Wildland Fire Emergency Medical Service Awards. Each year, EMC recognizes individuals and groups who have demonstrated exceptional actions or accomplishments that go above and beyond their normal mission or job duties.

Congratulations to all the awardees and nominees. Through leadership and initiative, they have made significant contributions to the safety and well-being of the wildland fire community. These honors are well deserved.

References:

2024 Wildland Fire EMS Awards

NWCG Emergency Medical Committee

NWCG Welcomes the Incident Management Teams Association as an Associate Member

Date: May 21, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
https://www.nwcg.gov/contact-us

The NWCG Executive Board is honored to announce that the Incident Management Teams Association (IMTA) has joined the National Wildfire Coordinating Group as an associate member.

IMTA is a dedicated group of incident management professionals committed to enhancing the profession by promoting standards and fostering collaboration across federal, state, local, Tribal, and private sector partners throughout all phases of incident management.

“Joining NWCG aligns with our mission to elevate incident management professionals nationwide,” said Dr. Randal Collins, President of IMTA. “This is a proud moment for all of us committed to advancing public safety.”

References:

Incident Management Teams Association

National Wildfire Coordinating Group

Updated NWCG Guide for Wildland Fire Modules, PMS 431

Date: May 14, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Fire Use Subcommittee

The updated NWCG Guide for Wildland Fire Modules, PMS 431 serves as a supplemental resource for wildland fire module operations, providing information frequently used in the field.

PMS 431 defines the organizational structure, staffing, and qualifications for Type 1 and Type 2 Wildland Fire Modules, outlining their roles in wildland fire suppression, prescribed fire, and resource management. The NWCG Guide for Wildland Fire Modules, PMS 431, should be used in conjunction with the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430.

References:

NWCG Guide for Wildland Fire Modules, PMS 431

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430

Updated NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing, PMS 200 Now Includes Off-Highway Vehicle Typing Standards

Date: May 13, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Mobile Fire Equipment Subcommittee 

The NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing, PMS 200 has been updated to include newly developed Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) typing standards. These standards organize OHV information into logical categories and outline key safety requirements for occupants.

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing, PMS 200 establishes minimum typing standards for aircraft, crews, and equipment used in national mobilization to wildland fire incidents. Typing designations are assigned based on measurable capability and performance criteria.

References:

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing, PMS 200