News and opinion about wildland fire
Author Bill GabbertPosted on Categories Uncategorized2 Comments on USFS firefighter honored at State of the Union Address A U.S. Forest Service firefighter, Dave Dahlberg, was introduced and honored by President Trump at the January 30 State of the Union Address. Mr. Dahlberg helped rescue 62 children and staff members whose camp had been encircled by the Whittier Fire northwest of Santa Barbara, California.
Author Bill GabbertPosted on Categories Uncategorized4 Comments on USFS firefighter invited to State of the Union Address Dave Dahlberg helped rescue 62 children and staff members whose camp had been encircled by the Whittier Fire northwest of Santa Barbara, California.
A U.S. Forest Service employee is being honored by attending the President’s State of the Union Address scheduled for 9 p.m. ET Tuesday.
Dave Dahlberg, a Fire Prevention Technician on the Los Padres National Forest working out of Pine Canyon Fire Station, helped rescue 62 children and staff members at the Circle V Ranch Camp during the Whittier Fire July 8, 2017.
This is a big deal. Congratulations to FPT Dahlberg!
Mr. Dahlberg will be one of 12 special guests of President Trump and will be seated with First Lady Melania Trump.
As the flames bore down on the camp there was fire on both sides of the access road but he was able to drive through the smoke and heat to the camp where he corralled the scores of children and staff members, keeping them safe. Later a convoy of vehicles took the personnel out of the area.
Mr. Dahlberg provides more details in the video below:
KSBY.com | San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Area News
Here is an excerpt from an article at KSBY:
…At the end of the road, 58 campers ages seven through 16 and 24 adult staff members were trapped in the camp.
The deputies turned around but U.S. Forest Service Patrolman Dave Dahlberg, who was initially behind them, was able to pass and make it through.
“I was able to make access into the camp through all the smoke and flames and all the debris on the road. It was tough at some points,” said Dahlberg, who was familiar with Circle V Ranch from prior training based on similar circumstances.
Dahlberg and the campers sheltered in place at the dining hall. Flames were about 600 feet away.
“I assured them that we were in a safe place and that we would all get out safely. It seemed like minutes but it probably was closer to two hours when I first saw county Dozer 1,” he continued.
Dozer operator Mark Linane started cutting fire line around the camp. Overhead, helicopters and airtankers made drops where the flames were seen moving toward the camp.
Dahlberg doused the dining hall with water as flames approached. Another hour went by before search and rescue vehicles arrived at the camp.
Incredible story, how @forestservice firefighter David Dahlberg bravely barreled down an access road during a wildfire, saving dozens of children & staff stranded at a ranch camp in CA last July. He’s invited to watch @POTUS give #SOTU w/@FLOTUS tonight. https://t.co/bg5Oron9cp pic.twitter.com/gK7nE00xHr
— Sec. Sonny Perdue (@SecretarySonny) January 30, 2018
So proud of @USDA @forestservice firefighter David Dahlberg, whose heroics during a wildfire in July saved the lives of 62 children and staff at a camp near Santa Barbara, CA. Also proud that @POTUS has invited him to watch #SOTU tonight seated with @FLOTUS. pic.twitter.com/DldThHm7vF
— Sec. Sonny Perdue (@SecretarySonny) January 30, 2018
The Whittier Fire burned over 18,000 acres northwest of Santa Barbara. The Circle V Ranch Camp is south of Cachuma Lake and south of San Marcos Pass Road. On the map below it is north of the “W” in “Whittier Fire”.
