CLEVELAND NATIONAL FOREST HERITAGE PROGRAM

"When death stalked the mountains--the tragic Hauser Canyon brushfire" by Jim Hinds

This October 2nd marks the 50th anniversary of one of the most devastating fires ever to cross the Cleveland National Forest--the Hauser Canyon fire of 1943. From October 2 - 6 over 16,000 acres burned, much of it within the boundaries of the Descanso Ranger District. What made the fire even more devastating was the loss of nine soldiers and the wounding of over 75 others during the fighting of the fire--making it the fire with the largest number of casualties ever on the Cleveland.

The following articles were written by Jim Hinds, the former archivist of the Mt. Empire Historical Society of Campo, California. Mr. Hinds, a military historian, is the foremost expert on the history of military activity within the Mountain Empire region of southeastern County. Jim was one of the driving forces behind the establishment of the military museum at the Mt. Empire's Gaskill Brothers Stone Store museum in Campo. In his years as archivist he acquired many of the records of Camp Lockett, the last cavalry post built in the u.S. at Campo in 1941. Many of the sources Mr. Hinds mentions come from these records as well as the local newspaper coverage of the fire.

You will note that most of the firefighters are Marines and U.S. Cavalry soldiers. This fire occurred in the midst of World War II and the San Diego mountains were the scene of much military activity at this time. A Marine training camp was established at Pine Valley. At Campo, Camp Lockett housed over 3500 soldiers of the 10th and 28th Cavalry regiments. These cavalry units were unique in that they were comprised of Afro-American soldiers (the Armed Forces was still segregated at this time). The 10th Cavalry was a famed unit known as the "Buffalo Soldiers.n A name originating from the regiments inception in the 1870s as a unit fighting Native Americans in the Plains and Southwest. Since most local men and many Forest Service employees had joined the service, these military men were the closest labor source available. As such they became the firefighting muscle in the fire seasons in San Diego County during World War II.

It is hoped that in reading the tragic story of the Hauser Canyon Fire in its 50th Anniversary year, we will remember the sacrifice of these, and all the brave men who died in the service of their country fighting wildfires on the Cleveland and throughout southern California.

James Newland Historian Cleveland National Forest

**We would like to thank the. Mountain Empire Historical Society, Jim Hinds, and Jean Taylor, editor of the Mountain Heritage for permission to reprint these articles for the employees of the Cleveland National Forest. Back issues of the Mountain Heritage can be obtained at the Gaskill Brothers Stone Store Museum in Campo (619) 478-5707. .. Mountaln-Heritaqe Fal! 1992-Pa,g&13 Part 1: When death stalked the mountains- the tragic Hauser Canyon brushfire

Jim Hinds compiled this report of the deadly fire that for them to practice firefighting skills. swept the area in October 1943. He published it in his When the Forest Service requested military assistance in Camp Lockett News, September-October 1989. Jim fighting this fire the Marines at Pine Valley were given the has submitted the story to be serialized in the Mountain mission. Because of limited documentation on this facility there is no way to determine how extensive the Marines Heritage on the 50th anniversary of this tragic event. firefighting experience was during the summer of 1943 prior to this fire. Nonetheless, a force of 80 men was assembled and loaded onto trucks. Saturday, October 2, 1943. A brush fire in Hauser Can- The fire was burning approximately 10 miles south of yon was detected at approximately 10:30 in the morning Pine Valley, but by road the distance was greater. A convoy burning along Cottonwood Creek in the Cleveland National headed east on US Highway 80 until reaching the turnoff for Forest. Cottonwood Creek flows westward through the can- Buckman Springs Road where the trucks turned south. yon from Morena Lake to Barrett Lake, both part of San In the back of the trucks the men were in jovial spirits and Diego's water system. standing up when they passed Lester Hook, a local rancher Hauser Canyon is narrow, with steep, high hills on both who was working a short distance from his ranch. They were sides, and thick brush growing all the way down to the rocks hollering and whooping, and one shouted out an inquiry as along the creek. A narrow roadway extends through the they passed him if he was the one who started the fire. canyon. Hell In a very small place During the previous 24 days, 9,100 acres of the Cleve- Accompanying the Marines that afternoon was Buel B. land National Forest had been consumed in three fires: Hunt, the Cleveland National Forest's training officer, and the 4,1 OO-acre Indian Creek fire on September 9, the 1,000- Jack Hemdon, a Forest Service guard. Hunt had been in acre Viejas fire and the 4,OOO-acre Potrero fire, both on charge of training the Marines and other servicemen in how September 22. Because of extreme dry conditions the brush to fight brush fires in this area. covered mountains were parched. Wrth each new fire there After nearly two hours on the fire line Hunt and the existed a potential for a major conflagration. On Friday, Marines found themselves forced into Hauser Canyon and October 1, Barrett Dam reported a high temperature of 99 were trapped between the steep slopes ofthe canyon at 2:15. degrees. It had been six days since any precipitation had What occurred next in Hauser Canyon could only be de- been reported; scribed as hell in a very small place. A busy summer The events that followed are chronicled in the October 9, So far military forces in this region of southeastern San 1943, edition of The San Diego Union in an article entitled: Diego County had been kept busy fighting fires throughout "Fire Inquiry Nearing Close." This is the newspaper's account the summer. The largest military facility in the region was of the events that occurred that tragic afternoon (author's Camp Lockett where the Army's, 2nd Cavalry Division's 4th comments in parentheses): Cavalry Brigade was stationed. Both of its two regiments had "The marines and federal foresters had retreated before been busy fighting wildfires that somehow always seemed to the rushing flames. A wind shift sent fire leaping at them, and break out on the weekends. cut off their retreat it was disclosed. Three marines ( While smaller in size, the Marine Corps training camp at First Class Ismael W. Wesson and Privates Norman L. Shook Pine Valley was the other military facility in the region helping Jr. and Ralph C. Peters) sought to rush through the flames, to fight fires. Started at a former Civilian Conservation Corps and were the first of eight to die. Others sought sanctuary on camp in 1942, the Marine Corps had a signal and an open space, clear of brush, and tried to burrow into the transportation company stationed there, and trained 110 men ground. at the camp every eight weeks. "The fire 'ran over' them, and although none of the Personnel from both camps received firefighting training leaping flames actually touched the men, five more, four from United States Forestry Service personnel. An officer marines and a soldier (the lone soldier to die did so the and non-commissioned officer from each- within the following day) died from burns suffered in the heat. 10th and 28th cavalry regiments at Camp Lockett had at- "Flesh of the men was burned, although their clothes tended this training. The knowledge they gained from this didn't catch fire. one-day course they were to impart to the men in their units. "After the fire passed, the retreat began, with the men Their training included lecture and practical experience in carrying those unable to move. Then on a little roadway, they fighting small brusllfltes. These fires.were deliberately started Please-.turn to page 7. Mountain Heritage Fall 1992 Page 7 Hauser Canyon fire--continued from page 1 again faced death in the shape of an I ever saw. I've seen some terrible Commemorative plaque advancing wall of flame from another accidents, but in all of them there was honors fire victims wing of the fire. nothing equaling the courage of those In commemoration of the su- "Some of the men gave indications fellows. They certainly can 'take it: " preme sacrifice made by the nine that they wanted to run from the new As the flames roared past them, Marines who lost their lives in the menace. But they were advised to lie the marines and Hunt clung as close to Hauser Canyon fire a plaque bear- down on the road. Later, as they re- the earth as they could. ing their names is affixed to a sumed their move toward hospitals, "It seemed like an eternity until it large boulder in Hauser Canyon. they learned that if they had made the got a little cooler," Hunt said. "Even The inscription reads: "In com- dash, probably all would have been then we could not leave at once; but memoration of the supreme sac- burned to death." . had to wait until the ashes were cool rifice made by the following mem- In the October 5, 1943, edition of enough to get through without further bers of the United States Marine The San Diego Union, in an article danger. Corps Training Camp Pine Valley entitled: "Fire Victim Tells Heroism of ''Then we started out, carrying those who lost their lives in this canyon Marines; Death Toll who were unable to move themselves. October 2, 1943." There is a sec- Eight," Buel Hunt, while under orders But most of the crew walked out." ond plaque at the Forest Service not to give out technical details of the The army is committed Descanso fire station. entrapment, pending further investiga- At Camp Lockett, Will- tion, told of his personal experiences iam L. Hastie was on duty as officer of when they became trapped in a small the day of Headquarters Troop, 10th In addition to ambulances, trucks draw leading from Cottonwood Creek. Cavalry, when he was ordered to as- were used to move the less injured men Hunt's experiences are representative semble all the available men in his to the camp's hospital. Every man who of the other n men who, though in- troop, and prepare to move by truck to had been trapped in Hauser Canyon, jured, came out of Hauser Canyon with Hauser Canyon where he was told some including Hunt and Herndon, had sus- Hunt. Marines had been trapped by a fire. tained some degree of injury. Once the " 'The fire was all around us,' he Following a guide in a Jeep, the two and evacuation was completed Lt. Hastie's said. 'There didn't seem to be anything a half ton trucks were able to get close troop returned to Camp Lockett. else to do but burrow in and let the worst to where the injured Marines were be- Simultaneous actions were also of it go by. I kept thinking of Griffith Park fore the cavalrymen were forced to dis- being taken to bring all available re- fire of several years ago' (when a num- mount and continue on foot. sources together to fight this deadly ber of relief workers were trapped and When Hastie and his men reached fire. Actions were chronicled in the Oc- burned to death in Los Angeles). the Marines they found 10th Cavalry tober 4, 1943, edition of The San Diego .• 'I told everyone to cover their and Camp Lockett hospital medics al- Union in an article entitled: ''Water shed heads and get down,' Hunt went on. ready on scene. Recalling this event, Endangered." Its description of actions 'This took a little time, and the first thing Colonel Hastie, USA (Ret.) wrote, "I taken on Saturday are quoted. I knew my own hair was on fire. I beat remember what a shock it was to see "By 4 in the afternoon a fire camp the flames out and covered my head as those guys and help evacuate some of had been established a few miles south best I could. the living out." of Highway 80 on the Campo road. 'We couldn't get through the flames. (The October 4, 1943, edition of the Such an attempt would have meant the Tribune-Sun places this camp at the loss of every life. As I lay there I could Cottonwood Creek Bridge on Buckman feel the flames scorching my legs. I Springs Road.) Among the first to be wondered if my legs were burning off. It called as firefighters were scores of was the most painful thing r ever suf- marines. U.S. Forest Service and state fered. At that time I didn't know how forestry division men later were aug- badly my hands were burned, or that mented by detachments of soldiers and they were suffering worse injury than men from state prison camps. my feet. "The fire is being fought much in the "The thing that impressed me most manner that modern warfare is staged. was the manner in which the marines Near the camp, headquarters were set conducted themselves under the ad- up and plans laid out to combat the vance of the flames. Their coolness blaze, with particular emphasis on at- was something I'll never forget. Not a tempting to keep the flames from bit of hysteria that might have cost spreading. Directing operations were everyone his life. They didn't yell or cry J.N. Ewing, of the San Diego office of for help as the flames rushed at and the U.S. Forest Service; N.J. Farrell, over them. Lieutenant William Hastie Cleveland National Forest supervisor, "They had more guts than anyone Please turn to page 8 Page 8 Mountain Heritage Fall 1992 Hauser Canyon fire-<:ontinued from page 7 •••••••••••••••••••• • • • and N.J. Fischer, assistant forest supervisor. In charge of the camp was H.L. landweek, attached to the Forest Service. • • "While the fire fighters were battling the flames six to 10 • • miles from the camp, the general strategy was worked out at • • the nearby headquarters and transmitted to the field with the • • aid of modem army radio equipment. "Army officers set up a command post near the forest • • service headquarters, and the post constantly was advised of • • what was taking place in the mountainous terrain. • • "The fire line surrounding the devastated area was orga- • • nized into divisions, each with an official in charge who • • directed the operations of sectors which, in turn, comprised • • several crews composed of a 'boss' and 25 servicemen. • • "The dead and injured victims (the marines trapped in Hauser Canyon) were found before sundown. The injured • • were taken to an army hospital. In addition, the army had : DOCENTS NEEDED! : hospital first aid men stationed at the command post and out • Welcome visitors to the • along the 'line' with the crews. "Shortly before sundown, the first firefighters were re- • Stone Store Museum. • called to the camp. Servicemen assigned to help battle the flames were returned to their post, while division, sector, and • Contact • crew bosses were issued bed rolls, in which they slept across the road on higher ground from the camp." • • The fire line extended from Cottonwood Creek, three and : Bobbie 478-5439 : a haH miles north across the Morena-Stokes Valley Road to a point near the lookout station atop Los Pinos Mountain. . • • From mid-morning until.early evening, 2,000 acres of the • • Cleveland National Forest had been burned. • • To be continued •••••••••••••••••••• THE MOUNTAIN EMPIRE I S Mountain Heritage T P.O. Box 394 o 'Campo, CA 91906 R Address Correction Requested I C A L s o C I E T y Mountain Heritage Winter 1993 Page 3 Part 2: When death stalked the mountains- the tragic Hauser Canyon brushfire

Jim Hinds compiled this report of the deadly fire that Anne Willis' letter swept the area in October 1943. He published it in his "Doubtless you are atthis moment fretting because it has Camp Lockett News, September-October 1989. Jim been such a long time since I last sent a line to 136-but I can has submitted the story to be serialized in the Mountain really say this time that I have been busy as the proverbial one-armed paper hanger. Heritage on the 50th anniversary of this tragic event. "So very much has taken place since I last wrote that I hardly know just where to start. To begin with more recent and Action at camp Lockett hospital startling events-Jim was 00 at the post Saturday nite-so It was a little after 3 o'clock in the afternoon when I went in at 3:00 and we were invited to ride with Capt. and Lieutenant Ruthelma Daughterty, an Army nurse at Camp Mrs. Callahan. We all went to the mess for dinner about Lockett hospital, reached her quarters after completing her 6:00-and Jim said-you better hold your breath as I might shift at the hospital. Almost immediately she was summoned have to go out with my troop on this awful fire fighting around back to the hospital. here. Due to manpower shortage whenever a big fire breaks The Camp Lockett hospital was under the command of out around here they take various from the post in Colonel Herbert Dameron, whose staff consisted of four to shifts-15 hour shifts this time. There has been suoh a long five doctors, enlisted medical personnel, and eight nurses time since we've had even a mere mention of rain that under the command of Captain Agnes Anderson. everything is completely dry and parched which is customary With only 30 to 40 patients in the hospital, Ward 4, one of for this time of year, as are the fires here. the hospital's four wards, was closed. "Well, on with the story. We were having supper at the Lt. Daughterty, now Mrs. Barrett, recalled seeing trucks mess when we saw ambulances tearing back and forth to the carrying Marines whose hands had been bu rned arrive at the hospital loaded with Marineswho it seems has gotten trapped hospital. The Marines were standing up in the backs of the between two high hills and 78 were burned very badly and 8 trucks with their injured hands extended skyward. Mrs. Barrett have died to date. We realized what few nurses there were at said she cleaned burns, bandaged patients, and gave medi- Lockett and how much work there would necessarily have to cation as she worked that long night in the hospital with the be done-so the Callahans, the Willises, Capt. and Mrs. injured Marines tn the reopened Ward 4. Shell, and another couple-all of us got up en masse from the The flow of injured Marines into the hospital became so supper table and hurried to the hospital. Four or five wards overwhelming that Camp Lockett's assistant Red Cross were packed and pandemonium and confusion were holding director, N. Fred Blozan, sent an urgent appeal to the San sway. The girls all went to Ward 4-where we heard we were Diego Red Cross Chapter for nurses, nurses' aides, surgical most needed-and from 6 PM until 12 midnight we worked dressings and medicines. In response, six nurses, fournurses' without cessation. Honestly, Mrs., in all of my life I have never aides, with two motor corps drivers reached Camp Lockett witnessed or been in such suffering and agony-you can't late Saturday night. The medicines were assembled and also image-burns of such a nature that I just cannot describe. shipped to the camp. "There was so much to be done and so many to help that Around 6 o'clock in the evening Lieutenant James H. we worked just as fast and furiously as possible-some of the Willis, Troop C, 10th Cavalry, and his wife Anne, Captain girls felt too squeamish to do some of the worst and I don't Robert H. Calahan, Troop F, 10th Cavalry, and his wife chide them, but I found myself in the thick of it and thanking Ritchey Fay, Captain RiederW. Shell, Troop A, 1OthCavalry, heaven my few years in a doctor's office had fortified me in a and his wife, along with another couple were seated in the mild way at least. I found myself lancing enormous blisters, officers club for dinner. But the sounds of sirens and the sight cutting away flesh, and making necessary applications and of ambulances tearing back and forth to the camp's hospital bandages-but my work was nothing. I had been at it for with the injured Marines drew their attention away from their several hours when Jim came in to tell me he was working on meal. En masse the four couples got upfrom theirdinnertable Ward 1 and there I later found were even more serious cases. and proceeded to the hospital to help. He and Capt. Callahan quickly caught on to the technique of Four days later (Wednesday, Oct. 6, 1943) Anne Willis giving plasma to the men who had been so filled with wrote her mother a letter, relating her experiences that night. morphine-some so badly burned that if they were allowed to Mrs. Willis' letter gives a broader, though non-professiona,1 come out of the morphine, they would have died at once. I view of what the Camp Lockett hospital was like that night with can't begin to tell you the horrible sight it was and the all the injured Marines there. Please turn to page 7. Mountain Heritage Winter 1993 Page 7 Hauser Canyon fire-continued from page 1 magnificent bravery of those wonderful times the usual amount of morphine to Marines. One had seen action at put him under. Jim got so attached to Guadalcanal and remarked, 'give me various ones that he was fighting along the Japs any day to this.' Nevera whim- desperately with them and hoping and per, never a murmur and, -oh, such praying to save their lives. Later he and appreciation for every little thing we Bob Callahan started giving oxygen- would do forthem. And so often-work of course all our work was supervised, on my buddy first, please, he is so much but there was just too muchwork for just . worse off than Iam.'-when the speaker those with experience. And we were so would actually be in torture. glad that we could be of help to them. "This sort of thing was so new and Jim and Ifinally got to the Club for a few different to Jim as he had never had any winks of sleep, as he had to make medical work but his kindness and pa- reveille. So I had breakfast with him at tience and help were wonderful and it the Mess, and we (allthewomen) started was remarkable the way the ones he making surgical dressings as fast as we had worked on had caught the sound of could Sunday morning. An SOS had his voice and would later react when we been sent out to all the wives to come in Lt. William Hastie would return to them to help again. and while I folded dressings Jim was "At such a time you are entirely again at the hospital throwing oxygen to Sunday the Navy ambulances were oblivious of how you yourself feel and Corp. Winkleman who didn't make the shuttling to and from San Diego trans- only face the great job to be done-and boat but passed along in the after- ferring all those able to be moved to the you feel and think: 'I have walked with noon-much to Jim's distress in par- naval hospital. death.' Those words have popped into ticular, as that was his idea of a great "Captain Eovaldi (Jim's C.O.) and my head so often these past few days. courageous fel/ow. Nurses aides, Capts. Bennett and Cummings had a Those Marines are really 'Supermen.' nurses, and navy doctors finally arrived small picnic booked for Sunday after- One fellow Jim was with required 6 in the night from San Diego. And all day noon=only part of the regiment and their own friends. They were to have the picnic at Laguna Mountain but this fire business limited them and they fi- A CASE OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY nally served the chow in a little shady I enjoyed reading the Fall issue of Mountain Heritage. The story on the spot on the Post behind Post Head- Graf Zeppelin's lofty connection with the Mountain Empire was real news to quarters. Realizing Jim's troop would me. Sorry to hear of Meredith's resignation-such a dedicated historian and soon have to go out to relieve some lovely pe-rson! Also enjoyed reading again Jim Hind's partial account of the other troops at the fire zone, Imade him go to the barracks to sleep until time to Hauser fire. Hard to believe that fifty years have slipped by since that inferno. Yes, you probably are now aware that the picture you printed of go. "Lieutenant William Hastie" was really that of my great regimental com- "I headed for home completely mander, Col. W.A. Falck, C.O. of the 10th Cavalry, who was like a second weary, too. Didn't feel up to staying fatherto me. I grew up with his two daughters, Betty and Barbara, when Wally alone and went to Lorrie Eastman's served as the Regular Army advisor, in Los Angeles, for about six years, to where she was simply grand about fix- the Reserve Army Cavalry Regiment (323rd Cavalry Regiment) commanded ing me a nice supper and taking me in by my dad, Col. Jack Hastie, Jr. for the night. Afraid I can't claim to be as handsome as Wally. I was flattered by the "I returned to the Post Monday af- mistake, however. ternoon-having to take my watch at You may have noted the frontispiece of the American Heritage Maga- the Aircraft Spotting post Monday A.M. zine, Feb/Mar 1993 issue, which depicts the statue in honor of the "Buffalo Found that Jim's troop had gone out at 4 A.M. Monday moming but were then Soldiers"-the then black 9th and 1Oth Cavalry Regiments. The short piece written beneath the picture mentions Hollis Ellis, who joined the 10th Cavalry on the way back to the post ... finally got in 1927 and is now 85. Hollis Ellis (a retired USAF M/Sgt.) was first sergeant there at 7:00 P.M. I soon picked him up of Service Troop 10th Cavalry at Camp Lockett in 1942-44. I remember him and we came straight home. fondly for helping this, then 21 year old, shavetail and later 1st Lt. with the "Now the fires are still raging- 10th, from getting into trouble. Hollis attended your Camp Lockett reunion in while I sit here writing the clouds are 1991 and lives now in Los Angeles (10221 S. Ruthelen St., Los Angeles, CA overhanging as if we would have a 90047). I stay in touch with him by telephone. He and his dear wife are great terrific rain, but, alas, I know they are people. only from the awful smoke of the fires. Please keep up the good work. Thank heavens, the men are being V. Respectfully, William L. Hastie very, very cautious, and I don't think Page 8 Mountain Heritage Winter 1993 Hauser Canyon tire-continued from page 7 Tale of tails----continued from page 6 there will be a repetition of Saturday's awful tragedy. Sunday The next morning we ~ere awakened by old a group of U.S. Forest Rangers were flown down by the Army Nebacaneezer barking at a cat or~omething. It was hard to to help out. believe that he CO~d have followe~ us that far. He looked "So, it goes to show that a man overseas is no worse off pretty tired and forlo . Now after a display of loyalty like that, than some at home. When the time comes, it's just there. I who could abandon ven a worthles~dog. So we took him haven't written any letters in so long and feel bad-but I just along. We had seen to rists with these fancy German police can't seem to get them done. I have been trying to send a dogs that would ride on~\he running boa(qs. This was not for weekly letter to Sonny. Love to all, Anne" . Nebacaneezer, He had '0 ride inside with the rest of the Another nurse's Input family. 1he next night we spent in a tourist court at White City, In a letter to Jim Hinds, Mrs. Ritchey Fay Calahan which w~ named after the ~an who discove\ed the caverns. Massey described her experience at the hospital that night. Next ~rning we were u~ early to explore the caverns, "I was assigned the task of getting the sand, gravel and along with ~few hundred ottier people. Pop\found a rope charred material out of the palrns of hands, knees and somewhere and tied Nebacaneezer to the car 'bumper. We wherever. The fire had swept back overthe men and as they were about ha~n hour along th~rail down into the caverns told me they tried to dig into the rock and earth in an effort to ~en here cam~ ~Id Nebacaneezer, dragging ~art of the seek shelter from the fire. Many were burned on their back ro~e, which he ~~ chewed in two: As a result 0 crawling sides. We all walked miles that night and since my riding underthe car, he hac more spots tha~e had before. We tried boots didn't fit very well I had bad blisters on my heels, to p~tend that we did~'t know him, but t~at did not work. Pop someone pulled the boots off finally and Icontinued shoeless. had t~ake him back t?\the car, haHan h~ur back up t~trail' We used miles of bandages and I remember thinking how and then catch up with the party. \ critical the supervising of our Red Cross bandage project had The\next day we weht south to Pecos ~hat we co Idgo frowned, no nail potlsh, hair up and out of the way, corners home on'tne newly completed Highway 80"\'the Bank ead tucked just so ... that night bandages went on as fast as we HighWaY...l~aribbon of concrete stretching fro"'. San Dieg~o could cut the gauze." Savannah, eorgia. We made the 300 miles inJ~sttwo days. In recalling his actions that night in the hospital, Colonel I still rernem erthe sound Of\!e road-cawum ,cawump, Robert H. Calahan, USA (Ret.) said, "They worked in teams, cawump-ev~ time I travel the local segme ts of old and went where needed orfeltwas needed." He described his ' Highway 80. efforts as going up and down and putting IV (intravenous) When we g t home after a w ek on the road, tti re was needles into patients. the real Nebacaneezer, patiently waiting for us. He adnt To be continued been anywhere! THE MOUNTAIN EMPIRE I S Mountain Heritage T P.O. Box 394 o Campo, CA 91906 R Address Correction Requested I C A L s o C I E T Y Mountain Heritage Spring 1993 Page 3 Part 3: When death stalked the mountains- the tragic Hauser Canyon brushfire

Jim Hinds compiled this report of the deadly fire that Cavalryman dies in blaze swept the area in October 1943. He published it in his To overcome a shortage of skilled personnel, the Camp Lockett News, September-October 1989. Jim federal forest Service sent 10 men by airplane from has submitted the story to be serialized in the Mountain Bakersfield and Fresno, California, during the day. Six Heritage on the 50th anniversary of this tragic event. more men were due from Santa Barbara on Monday. These men were fire fighting supervisors who were to direct the crews fighting the fire. On Saturday night a state Sunday, October 3,1943 division of forestry crew from La Mesa joined the firefighters Continuing with the previously cited October 4, 1943, with a large bulldozer. San Diego Union article it is possible to follow the fire Meanwhile, as troops of the 10th and 28th Cavalry fighting tactics on the fire 46 years ago. regiments were battling the fire, tragedy struck a platoon "The crews worked in 12-hour shifts, and at 4 o'clock of Service Troop, 10th Cavalry, at 10:30 in the morning. At yesterday (October 3d) morning the bosses were called that time a platoon leader was leading his platoon into a for breakfast. Meanwhile the request for soldiers (from recently burned over area, which was still hot in spots to Camp Lockett) had been issued and the troops moved by avoid being caught in a fire that was raging across the road convoy to the fire headquarters. Before being assigned to in some yet unburned area. According to the troop's their tasks forthe day shift, the bosses were provided with moming report it was a backfire. During this time Corporal breakfast of fried ham and eggs, potatoes and coffee, Leroy Carter became separated from the platoon and tried which were eaten under the weird glow of gasoline lamps to get away from the fire by running up a hill, but was at a long table. overtaken and burned to death on the slope of the hill by "After breakfast and having received their orders, the the fire. The remainder of the platoon escaped death by bosses were issued shovels, axes, brush hooks, canteens their platoon leader's actions. filled with water, and lunches in paper sacks for each man The fire covered an area that extended from Barrett to in the crew of 25. Morena reservoir, along Cottonwood Creek, and the flames "With this equipment loaded onto pickup trucks, they were raging along Barrett reservoir's north and east shore- proceeded to the army command post, where their crews line, sprawled along Cottonwood Creek. Eastern and had been counted and assigned. Then, in convoy and western extremities of the blaze were seven miles apart, accompanied by officers in jeeps and scout cars, they while the north and south extremities were six miles apart, headed east into the forest to their positions aiong the fire and thus far the fire had blackened 6,500 acres. line. . Back at the hospital "Included in the radio equipment were many walkie- During the day as the firefighters continued to battle talkie sets each carried by a soldier. As the crews spread the flames, the tender care of the injured Marines contin- along the line, soldiers manning the walkie-talkie outfits ued. Sadly death had stalked the hospital's wards. At 5:00 were able to send messages to scout cars, the radio crews a.m. Private Wilbur V. Rossen succumbed to his injuries. of which relayed the instructions to the command post for He was followed in death by Corporal Elmer C. Winkleman delivery to forest service officials. at 11:45 a.m. During the day Navy ambulances transferred "Not only was manpower a vital need in fighting the the men who were able to be moved to the Naval Hospital fire, but modem vehicular equipment carrying chemicals, in San Diego. Death again reared its ugly face during the and big caterpillartractors with road grading blades in front afternoon when Private First Class Lowell R. Whetsel died were pressed into service. at 3:40 p.m. And death took Private Roger D. Kirkpatrick "After the extent of the fire had become apparent, at 9:31 in the evening. The death toll was now seven additional equipment for more men was delivered to the Marines and one soldier. fire camp from Los Angeles. But of the men evacuated to San Diego two would be "Held in reserve near the command were more troops dead within five months. First of these men to succumb to and they sprawled around their convoy vehicles awaiting his injuries was Private Frank C. Rogers on December 1, assignment to any areas where relief or additional help 1943. He was followed by Private First Class George F. was needed." Please turn to page 8 Page 8 Mountain Heritage Spring 1993 Hauser Canyon fire-continued from page 3 As the day progressed the flames were held when a Lehman on March 3,1944. In total eight servicemen had fire line 21 miles was drawn around an area of 10,000 died in 24 hours and 73 others had been injured. From acres. But little islands of brush, unburned in the first Camp Lockett the dead Marines were taken to Johnson- sweep of the flame, flared up throughout the day. At the Saum Mortuary in San Diego. Corporal Carter's body was southeast corner in the Hauser Creek area, flames raged taken to Tate's Mortuary in San Diego. anew late in the day, but were subdued through quick Monday, October 4,1943 action of the firefighters. Crews immediately began cold- From the fire camp on Buckman Springs Road, N.J. trailing-plowing around the edge of the area and remained Farrell notified the local forestry headquarters that he on duty at full strength throughout the night to prevent expected the blaze to be controlled today. On the fire line rebirth of the blaze. there would be a force of 600 men to battle the blaze. The Tuesday, October 5, 1943 fire itself was being confined behind a 21-mile perimeter, As the efforts to control the fire entered its fourth day 18 miles of which consisted of control lines, with crews there was reason for optimism. The fire was estimated to moving into the remaining three miles. As the day contin- have now burned 16,000 acres since Saturday. But it had ued the acreage burned would reach 10,000 acres. been brought under control, and only 150 firefighters were Meanwhile as the troops were on the fire line their committed to the fire lines today. All but two miles of the 35- regimental staffs were busy supporting them. And Colonel mile perimeter surrounding the burned region was held by Edwin M. Burnett, 28th Cavalry, told his S-4 officer, Major fire control lines. Sidney L. Loveless, "Sid, other than ammunition supply, Wednesday, October 6,1943 this is the best logistics training you could have for com- The fire was extinguished today because of three bat." factors, according to an October 8, 1943, San Diego Union In recalling his work during the fire Colonel Loveless, article entitled, "County Blaze Probe Started." These fac- USAR (Ret.) stated, "Our biggest task was keep 'em tors were rain, high humidity, and the efforts of the watered and our bottleneck was in the fact that our organic firefighters. Through the day the firefighters were kept watertrailers simply did not meet the needs of firefighters. busy cold-trailing the fire. In total 16,000 acres had been We had no shortage of the tools as to TO&E provided burned since Saturday morning. At this time in 1943 this ample sappertools. We 'used all our 5 gallon jerry cans and fire was the worst in the history of the California national caught up at night so as start AM w/everything fulL" forests.

THE MOUNTAIN EMPIRE I S Mountain Heritage .P.O. Box 394 T o Campo, CA 91906 R Address Correction Requested I C A L s o C I E T Y