Wildfire Monterey County, Sam Jones Incident

Karl Malden promoted a slogan, "never leave home without them" referring to American Express Travelers Checks. Well, I use the same premise, never leave home without them, the cameras of course, you never know what you might run into. While driving to San Luis Obispo for a birthday dinner, I could see a large column of smoke building off in the distance near Fort Hunter Ligget, a prime breeding ground for large and fast moving brush fires. This loom up was towering in the western sky, with very dark smoke referencing very heavy fuel consumption. So off I went, diverting from a birthday dinner to a wildfire. Needless to say I still made it to the celebration on time, I just had to change out of my Nomex before getting to the restaurant. About 600 acres were consumed in the Sam Jones Fire.

Just another night in the pit.

South Central LA, Compton Structure Fire

Chasing fires and emergencies in South LA and Compton can be challenging at times and some what dangerous. I cover emergencies at night in what I have termed, the "pit" a small staging area at Slauson Ave and Harbor Freeway. Of course in the day time I just can not maneuver in traffic fast enough to get to calls in time for any decent photography work, but at night, when the rats come out to play and feed in the trash, this is the time when some real photo journalism takes place. North south streets like Crenshaw, South Gramercy Place, Normandie, Vermont, Western, South Broadway, Main, Central, Alvarado to Long Beach Bl and all the East West streets from MLK south to Imperial Highway are quickly covered from the "Pit". The strategy is to stay awake well into the witching hour, while being ever vigilant to the radio traffic and get on the road as soon as the alert tones go off. The photos are from a fire in Compton 2 days ago, a parking garage was well involved with fire upon arrival. My strategy:get in, take the images and leave to avoid large crowds that form in projects and beat feet back to the staging area. Just another sleepless night in my fire ground office in South LA.

Thomas David Marovich

Thursday, July 30, 2009 at 6:48PM

Family members, friends and firefighters hold a walking procession from the church to the cemetary at the funeral of Thomas David Marovich Jr. in Hayward, Calif. Photo: Liz Hafalia
From the San Francisco Chronicle:

As a kid, Thomas Marovich Jr. played with toy fire trucks. He channeled his childhood fascination into a firefighting job with the U.S. Forest Service. Whenever he was off duty, he flashed his famous "million-dollar smile" and served as a mentor to young firefighters in training.

That was how Marovich, 20, was remembered today at an emotional Mass in Hayward, where he grew up.

Marovich died July 21 after falling from a helicopter during a training exercise in Humboldt County.

More than 500 relatives, friends and fellow firefighters, their badges wrapped in black mourning bands, gathered at St. Clement Church in Hayward to honor a man described as selfless. Everybody called Marovich "T.J." for "Tom Jr."

After the service, mourners walked along Mission Boulevard as an honor guard, motorcycle officers and fire engines escorted Marovich's casket to nearby Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, where he was buried.

Marovich fell 200 feet from a Bell 212 helicopter at the Backbone Helibase in Willow Creek, authorities said. The same helicopter performed a fly-by at the cemetery.

Marovich was a second-year firefighter apprentice with the Forest Service at the Modoc National Forest. He had been practicing rappelling maneuvers as part of training that is required every two weeks.

Witnesses on board the helicopter reported problems with the harness he had been using, relatives said. His death remains under investigation, Forest Service spokesman John Heil said.

Through tears, Christy Marovich, 21, told those in attendance that she was consumed by nightmares about her brother falling from the helicopter. As firefighters in the audience wept, she said she had images of him simply bouncing back up, as if he were on a trampoline.

She said her brother protected her against people who broke her heart and served as an inspiration to young people who wanted to become firefighters. "You did not become a hero on the day you died," she said. "You were a hero in the days you lived."

Metro Link Accident

Los Angeles CA: The Los Angeles City Fire Department responded to a report of a Metro Link train vs. an automobile at Pierce St and San Fernando Road in LAFD Station 98’s first in district. Upon arrival it was reported that one passenger in the over turned vehicle had sustained fatal injuries and was still trapped. 23 passengers aboard the Metro Link were checked for injuries. All passengers were able to continue via bus to their destinations. The scene was turned over to LAPD traffic and accident investigators. LAFD Task Force 98 extricated the patient using hydraulic power tools.

Small Plane Crash

It has been an active month for me covering emergencies across Los Angeles County. On July 17, 2009 a small plane carrying 2 passengers crashed at Triumph and Warmuth Streets in the Sand Canyon area. Los Angeles County Fire Department had multiple calls of the crash and sent a full assignment. On arrival both passengers were pronounced deceased and that there was no fire problem. The scene was turned over to Los Angeles County Sheriffs Deputy's and aviation experts to investigate the crash.

Taking The Heat

Somebody asked me, "Why do you put yourself in harms way to bring the readers of Southern California Fire Journal those amazing images?" The answer is simple, I love to work outside: my truck is my fire-ground office, complete with high end lap top, air card, cell phone,camera and HD video gear. I don't need all the comforts of an office and I love to be on the fire line where the action is taking place. You can not take great pictures from 100 miles away so I am constantly on the go. Well to be honest, this summer has been very warm and it has been punishing me on the line, but I would have it no other way.