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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

Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Task Book Update

Date:  July 24, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Tree Felling Subcommittee

NWCG Operations Management Committee (OMC) has issued an update to the NWCG Position Task Book for Intermediate Faller (FAL2), PMS 311-91. To ensure clarity for both trainees and evaluators, the updated FAL2 Position Task Book (PTB) explicitly states who is authorized to sign off on your tasks:

“Evaluators must be qualified as a FAL2, or an Advanced Faller (FAL1).”

If you are currently working out of a previously published version of the FAL2 PTB, you do not need to restart. However, OMC highly encourages you to take the following step to prevent any confusion in the field:

  • Print and replace the updated evaluator information page (page 2) in your current physical PTB.

References:

Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Page

RMC Memo 26-01: Transition Plan for Implementing Updates to Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Qualifications

NWCG Position Task Book for Intermediate Faller (FAL2), PMS 311-91

Equipment Advisory 26-001: Potential Front Driveline Joint Failure on 2018 and Earlier Ram Pickups

Date:  July 10, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Equipment and Technology Subcommittee

The Logistics/Equipment Management Committee (LMC) has released Equipment Advisory 26-001: Potential Front Driveline Joint Failure on 2018 and Earlier Ram Pickups. This advisory highlights multiple U.S. Forest Service regions reporting front driveline joint failure incidents.

This advisory recommends firefighters and fire managers to: 

  • Follow all Ram-issued inspection, maintenance, and service guidance for front driveline joints. 
  • Consider installing a driveline loop. 
  • Coordinate with fleet managers and service providers to determine the most appropriate driveline loop kit for each pickup.

For further details, please refer to the complete advisory.

References:

Equipment Advisory 26-001: Potential Front Driveline Joint Failure on 2018 and Earlier Ram Pickups

Technical Service Bulletin: 03-002-21

NEW! NWCG Standard Operating Procedures, PMS 900

Date:  July 9, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: NWCG Staff

NWCG is excited to announce the publication of the NWCG Standard Operating Procedures, PMS 900.

The new publication establishes general, consistent, and uniform standards for conducting business with the National Wildfire Coordinating Group.

References:

NWCG Standard Operating Procedures, PMS 900

Quarter Four Materials for the 2025-2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign Now Available

Date:  July 8, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Development Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that Fourth Quarter materials for the 2025/2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign are now available. This annual initiative offers all students of leadership and wildland fire management an opportunity to engage with essential leadership skills and knowledge needed to lead effectively in dynamic environments.

Quarter Four materials focus on Leadership Level 4: Leader of Leaders (Provide Direction). Leadership Level 4 is where you are setting the conditions for others to do things well, even when you are not present. This quarter focuses on equipping experienced leaders with skills to provide direction, build trust across teams, and foster strong decision making. 

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Development Subcommittee