Front row, left to right: Steven Benson, Gilbert Quiñonez, Enrry Paredes, Gerson Sosa, Roger Ortiz, Shanna Williams, Natisha Green, Tonisha McCoy, Oscar Torez
Rear, left to right: Jesus Mendez, José Quiñonez, Andres Magallon, Marvin Calderon, Chuck Hamilton, Edgar Gonzalez
Photo taken by Mary E. Huels, USFS on July 12, 2008
Placer County, CA July 14, 2008 - On July 12, 2008, an award ceremony was held at the American River Complex fire camp in Foresthill, recognizing the outstanding work done by a California Conservation Corps crew. The Norwalk CCC crew has been working at the fire camp for nearly three weeks, supporting the firefighting effort. In gratitude for their excellent service, the Norwalk CCC crew was given a large carving of a bear, donated by Foresthill chainsaw artist Jeff Turpin. Chuck Hamilton, the Supply Unit Leader for the Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team 1, made the presentation to the crew.
Patterned after the Civilian Conservation Corps, the California Conservation Corps was founded in 1976. The CCC provides training, education, and work experience to young men and women, 18 to 25 years old. The CCC crews typically work outdoors on a variety of projects including park improvements, erosion control, and fisheries enhancement. They also help with emergency response to fires, floods, and earthquakes.
The American River Complex includes several fires on the Tahoe National Forest ignited by lightning on June 21, 2008. The Incident Command Post (ICP) for the complex was established at Foresthill Divide Middle School, seventeen miles northeast of Auburn, California. The Norwalk crew was one of several CCC crews assigned to the American River Complex to help as camp crews at Foresthill. The Norwalk CCC crew helped with the normal tasks for camp crews, including setting up work areas, assisting with supply distribution, and the endless project of keeping the camp clean.
Gerson Sosa and 'Smokey'
Photo taken by Mary E. Huels, USFS on July 12, 2008
When the main ICP for the American River Complex was moved to Yuba Gap, the Norwalk CCC crew was the only crew left to handle the needs of the small camp left at Foresthill. They continued to work diligently on the usual camp assignments.
Since the caterer had moved to Yuba Gap, food for breakfast and dinner was delivered to the Foresthill camp in pre-heated, bulk quantities. On top of their regular work, the Norwalk CCC crew was tasked with setting up for the meals, serving the food, and cleaning up afterwards.
As the Westville Fire near Mumford Bar grew larger and more active, additional fire personnel were stationed at the Foresthill fire camp. Eventually over 400 fire personnel were stationed at Foresthill. The Norwalk CCC crew continued to do the meal services besides their normal camp assignments.They showed a great willingness to work and kept a positive attitude despite the unusual workload.
Jeff Turpin, a Foresthill chainsaw carver, donated a beautiful carved bust of a bear to the Foresthill fire camp. He suggested that it be given as an award to someone working on the fire. The staff in charge of the American River Complex camp at Foresthill decided that the Norwalk CCC deserved the bear carving in recognition of their outstanding work.
Editor's note: For complete updates on the American River Complex fires, visit our American River Complex incident page.
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