California Wild Fires: God Bless those Real Heros … 4 Fire Fighters have Died and One Hospitalized in Critical Condition

All to often people put athletes, musicians and actors on pedestal and call them heros. Today we will put things in its proper perspective. Let’s use the word “hero” as it was intended. The four fire fighters that gave their lives Thursday trying to battle the out of control forest fires in the ongoing Esperanza blaze are heros. The fifth firefighters who has burns over 95% of his body who has been hospitalized in critical condition is a hero. People that sacrifice all for others who do so without knowing or caring who they are helping are true  heros.

Dana Pretzer recently talked about heros in his daily commentary  (1:14) would encourage people to listen. We really do need to understand who in life really are hero’s.

We say a prayer for these heros and for their families, friends  and loved ones. Those that would sacrifice their lives to protect life and property.

• Engine Capt. Mark Loutzenhiser, 44, of Idyllwild. Loutzenhiser had 21 years of service.
• Engine operator Jess McLean, 27, of Beaumont. He had seven years of service.
• Assistant engine operator Jason McKay, 27, of Phelan. McKay had five years with the Forest Service experience and four years of experience as a volunteer firefighter.
• Firefighter Daniel Hoover-Najera, 20, of San Jacinto. He was in his second season of firefighting.
• The critically injured firefighter was identified as Pablo Cerda, 23, of Fountain Valley.

(NBC4 TV: Click through the slide show of pictures)

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Like all the other brave fire fighters taking on this massive fire, heros all. These  men and woman take the ultimate risk to protect life and property.  The extent of this fire has been  so vast and wide spread fueled by the  winds. As of early Friday the fire was only 5% contained.

The firefighters were injured as they manned hoses on a mountain road about 8 a.m. Thursday, when a wind gust sent flames over them so quickly that they had no time to deploy portable fire shelters, according to the Forest Service. (NBC4)

What makes the deaths even worse of the brave men who selflessly took on the task of this fire is that it is being reported that the fire was a result of arson.

Crews Battle to Protect Homes From Blaze

Fire crews struggled to protect homes Friday from a wind-whipped wildfire that trapped and killed four firefighters as it raced through Southern California mountains.

The blaze in the San Jacinto Mountains, which authorities said was arson, has blackened nearly 24,000 acres, or almost 38 square miles, and already forced hundreds to evacuate. Fire officials worried that the strong wind could shift and blow flames toward populated areas west of Palm Springs.

God bless these fire-fighters and all who have made the ultimate sacrifice to save life and property. God bless all of your … hero’s everyone.