FIRE CREWS SHOWN SIGN OF AFFECTION.

Byline: Daily News

Hundreds of people gathered Sunday at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum for Firefighter Appreciation Day, overlooking the hills and valleys where firefighters made a heroic stand last month.

The Simi Valley Fire burned across thousands of acres between Moorpark and the Santa Clarita, San Fernando and Simi valleys - up to the base of the hill where the Reagan Library commands a panoramic view.

``As the fire got close, about six engines arrived and they started using water-dropping helicopters to prevent the flames from coming up the hill,'' said Melissa Giller, a spokeswoman for the Reagan Library who helped organize Sunday's event. ``An engine crew stayed overnight to be sure that we were safe.

``You can't even put into words how we feel about the firefighters - they saved our town,'' Giller said.

Members of a grateful public signed and wrote thank-you messages on signs that library officials set up in the lobby. One sign each will go to the Ventura County, Los Angeles County and Los Angeles City fire departments and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

Also, one of the appreciation signs will go to the Novato Fire Department in Northern California, to show thanks to that city's firefighters, including Steve Rucker, who died fighting the Cedar Fire in San Diego County on Oct. 29. Firefighters and visitors Sunday donated money to the Steve Rucker Memorial Fund to help the late firefighter's family.

Visitors also had the opportunity to buy a specially discounted Franklin Mint eagle porcelain sculpture, with proceeds going to the Rucker fund, officials said.

Library officials hoped for donations in the thousands but won't know the final tally until Tuesday.

Hundreds of signatures were gathered at the event that lasted from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

``We appreciate it very much,'' said Jim Wells, a spokesman for the Los Angeles City Fire Department, which waged a massive battle against the flames.

Although a number of homes were burned in the Moorpark and Somis areas, none were lost in the Simi, San Fernando or Santa Clarita valleys.

Michael Hansen of the Ventura County Fire Department worked in both Simi Valley and the Santa Clarita Valley areas during the blaze.

``This is such a nice event for us,'' he said at the Reagan Library on Sunday. ``It's really, really appreciated. We couldn't have done it without the support of the citizens.''

The Southern California wildfires in Ventura, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside and San Diego counties killed 22 people and scorched nearly 750,000 acres and more than 3,500 homes.

The firefighters at the event showed off hook-and-ladder fire engines and Ventura County Sheriff's Department Air Unit Helicopters and gave attendees lessons about safety in the ``Fire Safety House.''

Firefighters were on alert Sunday as high winds returned to Southern California.

In Ventura County, firefighters had put out a three-acre blaze Saturday night near the Ronald Reagan Freeway and Yosemite Avenue in Simi Valley.

Another fire broke out Saturday night in the Santa Clarita Valley, but burned less than an acre.

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2 photos

Photo:

(1) Just one of the many thank-you notes written to firefighters Sunday at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley. Firefighter Appreciation Day showed gratitude for the crews that protected homes and lives in October's devastating wildfires.

(2) Ventura County Fire Cadet Jennifer Persons rolls up the hefty sleeves on pint-sized Robby Rios, 3, as he sits in the cab of a county fire truck Sunday at the Reagan Library.

Michael Owen Baker/Staff Photographer