HOPING FOR HEALING MEMORIAL HELD FOR 4 FIREFIGHTERS.Byline: RACHEL URANGA Staff Writer Choking back tears at an intimate memorial on Sunday, relatives of the youngest firefighter killed while battling the Esperanza fire The Esperanza Fire was a wind-driven arson-caused wildfire that started in a river wash near Cabazon, California. Five firefighters were killed defending a vacant, partially-built home that was destroyed by the fire. called on the arsonist or arsonists to come forward and asked the public to pray for all firefighters. ``These firefighters didn't die in vain. They died for what they wanted to do,'' Patrick Najera, the grandfather of Daniel Hoover-Najera, told a small gathering in front of Fire Station 88 in Sherman Oaks. The remembrance held at the foot of the station's 9-11 memorial was one of several held in the Southland south·land or South·land n. A region in the south of a country or an area. south  land·er n.Noun 1. for four U.S. Forest Service firefighters overrun 1. overrun - A frequent consequence of data arriving faster than it can be consumed, especially in serial line communications. For example, at 9600 baud there is almost exactly one character per millisecond, so if a silo can hold only two characters and the machine takes by a firestorm fire·storm n. 1. A fire of great size and intensity that generates and is fed by strong inrushing winds from all sides: the firestorm that leveled Hiroshima after the atomic blast. 2. in the San Jacinto mountains San Jacinto Mountains Segment of the Pacific Coast Ranges, southwestern California, U.S. San Jacinto Peak is the highest point in these mountains, at 10,804 ft (3,293 m); the city of Palm Springs lies at its eastern base. on Thursday. A fifth, Pablo Cerda, 23, of Fountain Valley Fountain Valley, city (1990 pop. 53,691), Orange co., S Calif.; inc. 1957. Chiefly residential, Fountain Valley also has diverse manufactures, including apparel, computer equipment, semiconductors, and medical equipment. A U.S. navy helicopter facility is there. , was fighting for his life on Sunday with burns over most of his body. ``I would like to have everyone who has a prayer, to pray for this family and everyone who is fighting this fire,'' said Najera, who drove out from his Riverside home to attend the memorial. Blamed on arson, the deadly fires by Sunday afternoon had burned more than 40,000 acres about 70 miles east of Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. . The firefighters killed were all from Alandale-based Engine 57. Besides Hoover-Najera, they were Capt. Mark Loutzenhiser, 44, of Idyllwild; Jess McLean, 27, of Beaumont; and Jason McKay, 27, of Phelan. Holding a picture of his smiling grandson, Najera described a quiet 20-year old man who dreamed about becoming a firefighter since childhood. ``He died a hero,'' Najera said. It was his effort, and the efforts of more than 2,000 other firefighters who beat back the blaze, that inspired Carrie Konjoyan to organize a 12- hour vigil in front of the fire station. Every hour, she and mourners joined to hold hands, gather around and bow their heads for the dead firefighters. ``We are hoping for healing, by praying and gathering donations. It's a very simple message,'' said Konjyoan, a Sherman Oaks property manager and coordinator of the station's 9-11 memorial. As she stood in front of a row of American flags, Ramona Miller prayed. ``This touched me most deeply,'' said the 64-year-old retired Santa Clarita Santa Clarita, city (1990 pop. 110,642), Los Angeles co., S Calif., suburb 30 mi (48 km) NW of downtown Los Angeles, on the Santa Clara River; inc. 1987. Situated in the Santa Clara valley and nearby canyons, Santa Clarita includes the former towns of Canyon Country, phone manager. ``Sometimes in life you give back to those that are hurting. That is why we are here.'' The public was asked to send donations to the Esperanza Firefighters Assistance Fund, PO Box 1645, Riverside, CA 92502 rachel.uranga(at)dailynews.com (818) 713-3741 CAPTION(S): 2 photos Photo: (1) Rev. Bill Minson leads a prayer during a 12-hour vigil at Firehouse 88 in Sherman Oaks on Saturday. The vigil was held in memory of the firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty In the Line of Duty may refer to:
(2) Family members of fallen firefighter Daniel Najera gather during a vigil Saturday in memory of the firefighters who lost their lives battling the Esperanza fire. Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News |
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