The LA Times has an article about a U. S. Forest Service employee of the San Bernardino National Forest who just lost his home for the second time in three years to a wildfire. Here is an excerpt from the story:
Bobby Wright knows all too well about the threat of wildfires in the San Bernardino National Forest.
Wright, 63, who works for the U.S. Forest Service helping maintain area campgrounds, lost a home three years ago in a fire that swept through the Lytle Creek area. On Saturday, he lost his home again as winds up to 60 mph stoked the Sheep fire as it gobbled up dry chaparral and timber, authorities said today.
The blaze also killed about 20 dogs that Wright had saved after they had been abandoned in the mountains by their owners.
“He’s a very nice individual and a hard-working employee,” said Carol Underhill, a Forest Service spokeswoman. “He’s the type of person who cares about others.”
Wright works out of the Lytle Creek Ranger Station as a recreation technician helping maintain area campsites and serving as a liaison to visitors. The area is close to urban centers in Fontana and Rialto and is a popular dumping ground for unwanted dogs, officials said.
Wright kept the dogs at his trailer in Swarthout Canyon, just north of the Lytle Canyon area. The trailer was one of three structures lost in the canyon as wind-whipped flames tore through the area Saturday evening. Wright could not be reached for comment this afternoon.
Donations are being accepted by the Lytle Creek Volunteer Association to help Mr. Wright. Their address is Lytle Creek Ranger Station, 1209 Lytle Creek Road, Lytle Creek, CA 92438 92358. For more information, call them at 909-382-2851.
Paul,Unless I was on a different fire, much of what was reported by both newspapers was incorrect, except for the terrible losses of Bobby and his dedicated service to the Forest Service and community.From what I understand, at least six surviving dogs were roaming Swarthout Canyon…. and at last I’d heard… all six were recovered in good condition. The status of the others is unknown. The fire was spreading at approx. 80 ch./hr (1 mph) and dogs are pretty damn smart when released to run for safety.Another dog (probably one of Bobby’s) was rescued from "concerned evacuees" from Swarthout Canyon and delivered to the ICP and kept us company for several hours until he/she was "evacuated" to a safer place by animal control. We loved the company. My fingers are crossed in the hopes they all made it to safety as both horses did.I was the first one to see Bobby’s main trailer ablaze after ordering the area evacuated shortly into the IA. We had to wait until the fire left the area and it was safe to enter. It was a tough "drive by" but a right decision knowing the area and fire behavior…. we couldn’t safely put firefighters there at any cost. All of the folks involved performed A+. As soon as it was safe to re-enter the area, folks moved in and saved what they could…. as best they could.It was a tough decision all the way around.He (Bobby) is obviously one tough old bird who will survive with a little help from friends and others.
The Riverside Press-Enterprise wrote about Bobby Wright first, and more thoroughly:
Correct Zip Code is 92358. Thanks.