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Collection of Historical Photographs, Loop Fire

Click the image to enlarge.

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

NEW! S-390, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended) Available Now

Date: December 22, 2025
Questions about RT-130? 
Please contact: Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the new S-390, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended) training is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal.

This third course in the series combines online and instructor-led training components aimed at individuals who are involved in planning, managing, and executing wildland fire and prescribed burn operations; who require a thorough understanding of fire behavior calculations to enhance effectiveness and safety. This includes students who require the knowledge and skill necessary to perform the duties of a Type 3 Incident Commander (ICT3), Division/Group Supervisor (DIVS), or Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2 (RXB2).

Students are required to be qualified as any Single Resource Boss position and complete the prerequisite S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire behavior (Blended) course, before enrolling in S-390.

References:

S-390, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended)

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

NEW! S-320, Introduction to Incident Management Teams (Blended) Available Now

Date: December 18, 2025
Questions about RT-130? 
Please contact: Incident and Position Standards Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that S-320, Introduction to Incident Management Teams (Blended) is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal!

This blended course combines online learning with instructor-led training, designed for individuals seeking to build leadership skills and gain experience in incident management.

Students are required to complete the prerequisite trainings ICS-100, Introduction to Incident Command System (ICS), ICS-200, Basic ICS for Initial Response, and ICS-700, An Introduction to the National Incident Management System (NIMS) prior to attending S-320.

References:

S-320, Introduction to Incident Management Teams (Blended)

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

New! Ransom Road WFSTAR Module

Date: December 16, 2025
Questions about RT-130? 
Please contact: NWCG Audiovisual Specialist

NWCG is excited to announce the release of the new Ransom Road Fire Module to RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR).

This module features a firsthand account from Rob Lee, official reports, and animated maps of the Ransom Road Fire which occurred on June 8, 1981, in Florida's Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

The module is available now in NWCG's RT-130, WFSTAR Catalog.

References:

WFSTAR Catalog

Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center

Call for Nominations: Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award

Date: December 11, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
 Leadership Committee 

Do you know someone working in wildland fire who strives to make positive change and is undeterred by obstacles or setbacks? Now is your chance to give that person the acknowledgment they deserve by nominating them for a Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award.

This award, is presented by the NWCG Leadership Committee to remember Paul Gleason's contributions to the wildland fire community and to recognize individuals or groups that exhibit the same spirit and dedication to leadership – those who lead by example.

Nominations can be submitted via email with an attached Lead by Example Form to BLM_FA_Leadership_Feedback@blm.gov or through the online form. 

Tips for successful nominations and more information can be found on the Lead by Example webpage. All nominations must be submitted by December 31, 2025.

References:

Paul Gleason Lead By Example Award 

Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award Nomination Form 2025 

Leadership Committee