Battalion Chief Scott Howes 2015 Regional Forester’s Award for Emergency Response
Photo Courtesy of: John Miller
(From left): Shawna Legarza Region 5 Fire Director, SBNF Battalion Chief Scott Howes, and Region 5 Regional Forester Randy Moore.
By John Miller, Community Writer
December 23, 2015 at 08:41am. Views: 47
US Forest Service Fire Battalion Chief Scott Howes is the 2015 recipient of Pacific Southwest Regional Forester’s “Safety Leadership in Emergency Response” award for his role as Incident Commander on the North Fire in Cajon Pass.
Cajon Pass is one of three transportation and energy portals into Southern California, by far the most complex with railroads, highways and energy transmission – in windy, hot, dry fire-prone environment. To close the pass down for even a few hours can ripple throughout the country for days. So it mandates fire protection, but of a peculiar sort. It requires a fire service that possesses the intensity of urban firefighting but can operate within a setting that most people would characterize as wild. For the US Forest Service, this presents the most complex environment for fighting a wildland fire; the response in the Cajon Pass must always be immediate, decisive and aggressive.
July 17, 2015 was another day in paradise in Southern California until a passing motorist reports a wildfire burning in the center divider of Interstate 15 in the Cajon Pass. The fire behavior was characterized as rapid and the shifting winds caused the fire to increase in intensity and speed, burning towards the southbound lanes.
The alarm sounds and the US Forest Service, along with partners CALFIRE San Bernardino Unit, and San Bernardino County Fire start a full wildland fire response. Sirens and red lights flashing, the massive armada responds, fire engines, hotshot crews, state handcrews, fire dozers, and water tenders. Overhead, and from several directions comes the firefighting helicopters, air tankers and air attack. The California Highway Patrol, Caltrans and the San Bernardino County Sheriff quickly mobilize to support firefighters, knowing all too well the impacts on the motoring public and communities just over the ridgeline.
The fire crossed the southbound lanes of the interstate and overran several cars and trucks - immediately changing the mission to protecting the motorists while continuing efforts to halt the fast growing fire. As the wind-driven fire continued, the fire split in two directions and quickly swept over the ridge into the Baldy Mesa and Oak Hills communities.
By the time the fire was contained five days later, it had burned over 3,500 acres, destroyed dozens of vehicles and one home.
Battalion Chief Scott Howes of the San Bernardino National Forest responded and assumed command of the fire. During the course of the firefight, Chief Howes faced unique new challenges and complexities of fighting wildland fire in the Cajon Pass such as traffic at a complete standstill, the immediate life-safety risk to motorists, and several small unmanned aircraft slowing the use of firefighting aircraft.
Chief Howes performed as an experienced and exemplary leader that executed safe and successful initial attack response of a complicated fire suppression mission. Chief Howes immediately directed firefighters to protect the motorists trapped on the interstate, and after aviation operations resumed, air tankers and helicopters were successful in slowing fire spread. The air attack enabled ground forces to make rapid progress in constructing direct attack containment lines.
“Based on Chief Howes constant cool calm demeanor, one would never know he takes unsurmountable risk and faces uncertainty and extreme danger as part of his job. Scott is dedicated to the mission, the Forest Service, and has the utmost respect for others. On that July day, motorists, residents, cooperators, and employees returned home safe thanks to his exemplary leadership,” Said District Ranger Christine Hill.
“Scott will continue to care for the land entrusted to us with service, respect and integrity.” said Forest Supervisor Jody Noiron. “I have never been more proud of an employee for their successful accomplishment for a job well done safely in the face of extreme danger.”
Howes, has worked 27 years for the US Forest Service on the San Bernardino National Forest, worked in Lake Arrowhead during the 2003 and 2007 firestorms before promoting to his current position in Lytle Creek.
