Ojai Hotshots
Written By: Larry Edwards
Crew History - Established 1974 | Disbanded 1982
Agency: USDA Forest Service | Home Unit: Los Padres National Forest
The Ojai Hotshots were established in 1974 as a result of recommendations from the 1972 Region 5 Base Fire Plan. This gave the Los Padres NF a Hotshot crew on the southern end of the Forest and Region 5 another Hotshot crew with quick access to the adjoining Angeles NF and South Zone. The crew logo is that of a California Condor, an endangered and protected bird who’s historical range encompassed much of the Ojai Ranger District.
Bob Burnett, a former Los Prietos Hotshots and then Wheeler Gorge Tanker Foreman, was selected as Superintendent. The hiring of John Szalay and Terry Raley as Foremen completed the overhead structure. The crew was stationed at the old Ranger District Office on Main St. Ojai Hotshots operated out of the warehouse complex. No housing or barracks were available for crew members. Crew transportation consisted of “Little Winker”, an 18-passenger bus, handed down from the Los Prietos HS and a Superintendents pickup truck.
In 1976 Craig Lecheither replaced John Szalay as foreman and he and Raley worked together for 2 fire seasons. In the fall of 1977 Raley and Ish Messer swapped positions, with Raley moving to the Rose Valley Helitack Crew and Messer becoming the Ojai HS Foreman. More overhead changes occurred in 1978 as Lechleiter took a position with the Redding Hotshots in June and Mike Freed was hired as a Squad Leader in a career position.
The crew was cut mid-August of 1978 in what was known as the “Hotshot Massacre”. For budget reasons upwards of 10 Region 5 Hotshot Crews were disbanded mid-season due to monetary constraints. Fortunately for the Ojai HS crew members, all those who wanted to keep working were found positions on District engines or with the Rose Valley Flight Crew.
Fire funding was regained and the crew returned for the 1979 season. Bob Burnett continued as Superintendent, with returning Ish Messer and Steve Slagowski, hired from the district, as Foremen. Mike Freed also filled in as Foreman, as needed, during the 1978 and 1979 fire seasons. Slagowski departed later in 1979, returning to his previous prevention position.
Major changes occurred in 1980. Superintendent Burnett left for a District fuels position and was replaced by Foreman Ish Messer. Bob Becker became one of the crew Foremen coming on-board from the disbanded Rose Valley Helishot crew and was joined later in the season by Lloyd Howry. The crew found a new home at Casitas Station, this move provided bunk space for 8 crew members. A larger bus, from the disbanded Helishot crew, also arrived in 1980. 1981 saw overhead stability continuing with Messer as Superintendent, Becker and Howry Foreman and Freed on-board. A barracks trailer was placed on site at Casitas providing additional bunk space for 3.
1982 proved to be the last season for the Ojai Hotshot crew. Messer left to become the Ojai DFMO and foreman Bob Becker was detailed as Superintendent. Howry also left, transferring to Rose Valley Helitack and was replaced by Steve Mortensen also from Rose Valley Helitack. Although unfunded by the Forest the crew was able to remain on duty, with District project funding covering costs when the crew was not on fire assignment. The Ojai Hotshot Crew was disbanded at the end of the fiscal year 30 September 1982.
Doug Campbell, District FMO, was a big supporter and early advocate of the Ojai Hotshot crew.
Crew Overhead
1974 & 75 — Supt. - Bob Burnett
Foreman - Terry Raley / John Szalay
1976 & 77 — Supt. - Bob Burnett
Foreman - Terry Raley / Craig Lechleiter
1978 — Supt. - Bob Burnett
Foreman - Ish Messer
1979 — Supt. - Bob Burnett
Foreman - Ish Messer / Steve Slagowski
1980 & 81 — Supt. - Ish Messer
Foreman - Bob Becker / Lloyd Howry
1982 — Supt. - Bob Becker
Foreman - Steve Mortensen
Written By: Larry Edwards
