EL CARISO HOTSHOTS: Home For R&R

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Home For R&R

The crew returned home last night from a 16 day tour. The Gap fire burned a total of 9,443 acres. We hiked in the first day and had our gear flown to us for a three night, four day spike. The crew cut some good line for three days, then it was patrol and mop-up. The terrain was difficult, steep rocky and very thick brush along with the dreaded poison oak . With a total of four fires on this assignment the crew is looking forward to the days off. We will be available for a new assignment on Thursday the 17th of July. You can click on the link above "Home For R&R" to see the location of the Gap Fire.

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What is a Hotshot Crew

In the United States, an Interagency Hotshot Crew (IHC), or simply Hotshot crew, is a Type 1 handcrew of 20 firefighters specially trained in wildfire suppression tactics.Hotshot crews are considered an elite group among wildland firefighters, due to their extensive training, high physical fitness standards, and ability to undertake difficult, dangerous, and stressful assignments.They often respond to large, high-priority fires and are trained and equipped to work in remote areas for extended periods of time with little logistical support.

As an interagency resource, Hotshot crews can be requested to respond to wildland fire incidents in any jurisdiction. As of 2009, there are 107 IHCs in operation in the United States, organized by diverse agencies such as the United States Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, as well as state, county, and city governments. The National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho coordinates Hotshot crews on the national level.

Hotshot crews trace their history to Southern California in the late 1940s on the Cleveland and Angeles National Forest. The term "hotshot" comes from their having been assigned to the hottest parts of the fire.In American English, the term also connotes "a person who is conspicuously talented or successful".

While not fighting fires, Hotshot crews typically work in their home units to meet resource goals such as thinning, prescribed fire operations, habitat improvement, and trail construction projects. Hotshot crews can also respond to other emergency incidents, including search and rescue and disaster response.

EL CARISO HOTSHOTS

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Home For R&R

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