2003 (Cherry Creek Fire) Overview The San Juan Hotshots formed in 2002 as one of 93 IHC crews in the nation. We are located in Durango, Colorado at Engineer Guard Station. The San Juan IHC is based at 9210 feet and are proud to be the highest based IHC in the nation. The 2003 season was busier than average taking the crew to Wyoming, Idaho, and Oregon. This report gives an overview of the 2003 season covering topics such as the hiring, assignments, training, safety, and fires. Hiring The year started off with five new seasonal faces in addition to the two new squad bosses Dave Pearce and Courtney Madigan. The crew also hired Jesse Jones, Ryder Jones, and Cannon Shockley as lead crewmembers. (Brush Mountain Fire) Assignments The crew started May 5, 2003 and ended October 17, 2003. The crew started off with its usual two weeks of mandatory training. It included long hours of PT, multiple classes, and an overnight field exercise. The season started off with a few small fires on the San Juan N.F. Arizona’s fire season started up and we spent our first full dispatch in region three. After the Picture fire and Thomas fire we returned to Colorado for a few small fires including the Beaver fire. We were not on the fire very long but most of the crewmembers will remember it because of the erratic cotton fires that would run across our line and later dozer line. Every day the aspen trees would drop a large amount of aspen seed, and the fire would cross our line due to burning aspen seed spreading across. Finally we backed off and put the fire into monitor status. The next major assignment was the Brush Mountain fire. Brush Mountain threw steep terrain, unpredictable roads, and extreme fire behavior at us. The crew, with its mixture of experience, handled it as well as any crew in the nation. That August the crew got its first experience in Montana with the Cherry Creek fire. The fire was marked by 11 straight days of digging line while spiked out and the infamous log deck or helicopter landing pad that the crew constructed. We ended the season in the northwest on the B & B Complex. The season was brought to a close with an early fall snow. (Cherry Creek Fire) 2003 Assignment Summary OPERATIONAL FIRE NAME STATE SHIFTS Class Texas Creek CO 1 C Cherry CO 1 B Indian Ridge CO 1 A Capote CO 1 B Little Devil CO 2 B Hole Trail Creek CO 5 C Trail Creek CO 1 B #2 Ice Cave CO 1 B #2 Picture AZ 6 G Thomas AZ 3 G Stamp Mill CO 1 B Beaver CO 4 D Brush Mtn. CO 10 F Bolt CO 4 F Deep Lake WY 2 F Langlas Draw CO 4 E Cherry Creek MT 14 F Bridge Ridge CA 3 C Canoe OR 2 C B & B OR 4 G Complex Training The first part of the season was dedicated to training. A combination of physical, classroom, and field exercises were utilized. During the first two weeks of the year, we completed double PT sessions consisting of runs up to 6-10 miles, 2-300 push-ups, 500- 1000 sit-ups and 20-30 pull-ups. The crew completed PT sessions between 1 ½ to 2 hours in length consisting of runs and calisthenics. In addition we completed several hikes to simulate standard hotshot hikes. The crew completed the mandatory training required for IHCs plus more. The following is a list of courses we completed: Standards for Survival S-212 Saw Safety Lessons Learned Look up, Look down, Look around Sand Table exercises Human Factors In addition to the standard classroom training we conducted several field exercises. The main focus of the field exercises was to simulate standard activities faced by a hotshot crew. Line construction, falling techniques, working with fixed and rotor wing aircraft, night operations, mop up, safety zone identification, independent squad deployments, fire shelter deployment, and line location were all covered in the field Exercises. Perhaps the most beneficial aspect of the field exercises was the increase in crew cohesion. Safety Daily morning briefings are given, followed by the six minute to safety session, with a weekly safety session occurring throughout the season. Tailgate safety sessions are administered along with JHA’s completed for specific job tasks. The crew has the proper documentation for safety rules and regulations posted at the Engineer Guard Station. Past fatalities and case studies have been reviewed and will be in the yearly training program. The San Juan Interagency Hotshot crew is committed to the highest level of safety standards and policies. All agency policies regarding safety will be adhered to at all times. Safety of our crew is the number one priority and we will not accept any task or assignment that puts our crew in jeopardy. (Birdsell) Fuels Treatment Acres The crew spent multiple shifts at Anasazi Heritage Center, Turkey Springs, and Missionary Ridge rehab on a fuels reduction projects. This project allowed new and old sawyers to get trigger time and allowed some individuals to complete task books for a higher-level certification. 2003 Crew Roster Legarza, Shawna Superintendent Cornelius, Jim Assistant Superintendent Pearce, Dave Squad Boss Wyatt, Joe Squad Boss Madigan, Courtney Squad Boss Jones, Ryder Lead Crew Shockley, Cannon Lead Crew Jones, Jessie Lead Crew Nobles, Jerome Crew Member Farris, Billy Crew Member Thiel, Travis Crew Member Gething, Ray Crew Member Martin, Lance Crew Member Birdsell, Jacob Crew Member Klatt, Danny Crew Member Hostetler, Kristen Crew Member Cozzins, Cris Crew Member Yazzie, Clay Crew Member Finan, Brian Crew Member Davison, Dustin Crew Member 2003 Detailers Ehlers, Ryan 14 Days McShan, Ben 14 Days Wheeler, Dustin 28 Days Bender, Dusty 14 Days Stanzak, Nick 28 Days Ranirez, Jesse 14 Days Preston, Matt 14 Days Hartman, Hans 14 Days Huett, Brett 14 Days Floyd, Troye 14 Days .