Firefighters Offer Moment Of Silence On Esperanza Fire Anniversary
Firefighters throughout the Inland region offered a moment of silence today to recognize the fourth anniversary of the Esperanza Wildfire that killed five firefighters north of Idyllwild.
The Oct. 26, 2006, arson-set blaze began at the base of Mt. San Jacinto, near Cabazon, and spread up Highway 243.
The crew of Engine 57 was defending an octagon house at 7:57 a.m. when flames swept over the engine, killing four firefighters at the scene and burning a fifth firefighter on more than 80 percent of his body.
Killed in the blaze were Mark Loutzenhiser, Daniel Hoover-Najera, Jason McKay and Jess McClean. Pablo Cerda was hospitalized at the Arrowhead Regional Medical Center’s Burn Unit. He died five days later from his injuries.
Raymond Lee Oyler, a Beaumont auto mechanic, was convicted last year of more than 30 counts of arson and five counts of murder for starting the blaze. He was sentenced to death by a Riverside County jury.
On Saturday, family members of the firefighters held an annual baseball tournament in honor of the five men killed.
Today, firefighters and some family members will meet at the U.S. Forest Service Alandale station for a brief moment of silence at noon and a radio transmission to active firefighters.
