Fire Firefighters Killed Remembered On 3rd Anniversary

PALM SPRINGS– Three years ago Monday,an arsonist started the deadly Esperanza Fire. Each year on the anniversary,family, friends and fellow firefighters meet to remember the five men who died that Octoberday.

The families describe it asa sad day, but a day that helps them mourn and find closure. Mondaywas the second time they’ve met as one family to celebrate the lives of the five fire fighters. Cecilia McLean, mother of Jess McLean killed in the fire says,”I miss him everyday, there’s not a day that goes by thatI don’t miss him.” 43 year old captain mark loutzenhiser…

On October 26th, 2006 the five fire fighters, 43 year-old Captain Mark Loutzenhiser, 27 year-old Engineer Jess McLean, 27 year-old Firefighter Jason McKay, 23 year-old firefighter Pablo Cerda and 20 year-old Firefighter Daniel Hoover-Najera were assigned to the Idllywild Station 24 were killed when flames overran their U.S. Forest Service fire truck while they were attempting to save a home in Poppet Flats. The lives of thefive men killed in the fire were celebrated Mondayby telling stories and taking the time to reflect.

Greg Koeller owned the home thefive firefighters were trying to protect. He thinksback on that day saying, “They lost their lives trying to save my stuff they died on my property you feel bad,anythingI can do, I’ll do.

The 40,000 acre Esperanza Fire cost an estimated $9 millionto fight in the San Jacinto Mountainsand forced the evacuation of hundreds. The fire was intentionally started by36 year-old Raymond Oyler,an auto mechanic from Beaumont. Ajury found Oyler guilty offive murder charges and starting the fire. At the time of the Esperanza fire, Oyler was already connected to two other fires. After the conviction and sentencing Oyler was bussed straight to San Quinton Prison where he awaits execution.

Even with the conviction of Oyler,the families focus not on the killer, but on thefive men who lost their lives three years ago on October 26 2006.