CAL FIRE MUSEUM

CAL FIRE MUSEUM aka Historical Society and Museum for the CA Dept of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire)

01/30/2025

Great collab from Cal Fire making use of PSA film from our archives of digitized material.

Fire Seige mementos in California are nothing new. In 1987, the Pacific Southwest region of the USFS produced a "thank y...
01/22/2025

Fire Seige mementos in California are nothing new. In 1987, the Pacific Southwest region of the USFS produced a "thank you" pin and distributed them (after the fact) to personnel assigned on Engines, Strike Teams and other fire assignments during the statewide fire activity that year. In 1993, after a particularly severe Southern California series of fires, the Disney corporation commissioned a custom print in cooperation with Anaheim FD which was gifted to a variety of Departments, personnel and equipment who participated in assisting. Warner Brothers/Universal Studios did the same thing in 2007. Do you have a keepsake from a momentous response or event?

01/15/2025
01/15/2025

CAL FIRE and the entire response team are deeply grateful for the incredible support we've received from our state, local, federal, international, and tribal partners. Special thanks also go to the Los Angeles community and individuals around-the-world who have stepped forward to offer help during this critical time.

Your overwhelming show of unity exemplifies the power of coming together in the face of one of the most devastating natural disasters in California's history.

This graphic reflects data as of January 15, 2025.

For the Record: Where do the recent Eaton and Palisades fires stack up against other historic California wildfire disast...
01/13/2025

For the Record: Where do the recent Eaton and Palisades fires stack up against other historic California wildfire disasters?

Living with wildfire has long been a part of living on the West Coast, just like people in Florida "know" hurricanes and people in Minnesota "know" frigid weather. BUT - It's been long enough since the elements of fire, weather and human occupied space aligned to cause this kind of event in Southern California that the last few local entrants from the So Cal area have fallen far out of the current "top 20/most ever" ratings. For example these names may be familiar to any long-time local residents:

Paint Fire, June 1990, Santa Barbara, 641 structures lost
Bel Air fire, Nov 1961, LA City, 505 structures lost
Laguna Fire, Oct 1993, Orange County, 441 structures lost
Laguna Fire, Sep 1970, San Diego, 382 structures lost
Panorama Fire, Nov 1980, San Bernardino, 325 structures lost
Topanga Fire, Nov 1993, LA County, 323 structures lost
Kinneloa Fire, Oct 1993, LA County, 196 structures lost

As you will see however, the comparative size and scope of the destruction of recent events makes our previous local experience pale in comparison. These recent fires are horrifically devastating disasters and those communities affected will be coping with recovery for years to come.

Here's where we are now, and the numbers are not final yet. (Credit to Cal Fire "statistics" webpage and the Wayback Machine)

01/13/2025

More than 15,000 dedicated firefighters, law enforcement, and emergency support personnel are tirelessly working to combat the wildfires in Southern California.
While smoke has cleared in most of the areas impacted by the Eaton and Palisades Fires, evacuations and curfews remain in place. Officials are maintaining these precautions to prepare for potential fire activity, complete damage inspections, complete critical infrastructure repairs, and address hazards like fallen trees and downed utility lines. Crews are working around the clock to facilitate these necessary duties.

Stay informed and follow local guidance. Learn more on how you can be prepared for any emergency at www.readyforwildfire.org

Los Angeles County Fire Department Los Angeles Fire Department

01/11/2025

Support Personnel fill key roles to assure the firefighters on the line are as prepared as possible for the long hours and tough conditions they will face ahead.

May your days be shiny and bright!
12/19/2024

May your days be shiny and bright!

Merry Christmas and a Happy and Safe New Year from the CAL FIRE Nevada Yuba Placer Unit.

Happy Holidays!
12/15/2024

Happy Holidays!

12/11/2024

This week on Thursday, the Historical Society & Museum will hold an election for positions on the Board of Directors. The Museum Board consists of eleven elected members, who must be current, former or retired employees of the California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection (Cal Fire). The Board in turn chooses four officers from among the Directors. A President and Museum Manager; Vice President (assistant manager); a Secretary and a Treasurer. Current officers and Directors are:
* Jan Newman, Museum Manager
* Lee Delap, Assistant Manager
* Ray Snodgrass, Treasurer
* Stephanie Regis, Secretary
* Michael Bowman, Director
* Frank Clark, Director
* Jarrel B. Glover, Director
* Elizabeth Groom, Director
* Kim Pennington, Director
* Jessie Torres, Director
* Tom Wilson, Director
While we expect all current Directors to return to their spots, we are always mindful that we need to plan for the future and expand our base of both administrative and operational staff. Interested volunteers are always welcome.

Among other duties, we need people to help out with:
- website design & social media content
- packaging gift shop orders & inventory
- Unit-level contacts & advocates for new member recruitment
- newsletter creation, distribution and general office duties
- mobile equipment maintenance, upkeep & displays
- physical facility maintenance & display design
- research requests & various history projects

For more information on how you can participate, email us at [email protected]

12/05/2024

The CAL FIRE Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit (NEU) CAL FIRE NEU protects the diverse landscapes of Nevada, Yuba, Placer, Sierra, and Sutter counties, including the Sierra Nevada mountains, foothills, and vast river canyons. Also, since 1952, NEU has proudly served as the Placer County Fire Department under a Cooperative Fire Protection agreement.

Established in the 1930’s, CAL FIRE NEU has direct responsibility for fire protection of approximately 1.2 million acres and serves over 650,000 residents. NEU staffs 17 fire stations, two conservation camps, the California National Guard fire crew program, three firefighting dozers, the Grass Valley Emergency Command Center / 911 Dispatch Center, and the Grass Valley Air Attack Base, one of the oldest and most active air attack bases in the state.

Fun Fact: Placer County is home to the famous Lake Tahoe, which is one of the clearest large lakes in the world, with water so clear that you can see down to a depth of up to 70 feet in some areas. Lake Tahoe also attracts approximately 15 million visitors annually. In 1960, NEU served as the fire department for the 1960 Winter Olympic Games held in Lake Tahoe.

We want to hear from you! If you’re a resident of Nevada, Yuba, Placer, Sierra, or Sutter County, give a shoutout to CAL FIRE NEU in the comments. Show your support and share any stories/photos you have.

Don’t forget to use the hashtag to join the conversation and let us know your thoughts. Together, let’s celebrate the heroes of CAL FIRE NEU and all they do to keep their communities safe.

Three people to lay hose and fourteen to watch from the bottom... Just Joshing! This photo shows a training drill in Wil...
12/02/2024

Three people to lay hose and fourteen to watch from the bottom... Just Joshing! This photo shows a training drill in Wildwood Canyon (BDU) during the Watershed Training school, May 1960. (BC-VI-7833) Looks like a power wagon on the left and a Model 5 on the right? new addition to our digital collection.

The next batch of our documents for digitization will be submitted early 2025. We plan to send in more CDF Newsletters (...
11/30/2024

The next batch of our documents for digitization will be submitted early 2025. We plan to send in more CDF Newsletters (Communique) for the years prior to 1974. While we maintain what we think is the largest, most complete collection of CDF/Cal Fire archival documents anywhere - we still have some holes in the collection to fill. If there's any chance you have any of the following issues from the old Division of Forestry Newsletter, taking up space in your closet, attic or garage, Please let us know! Thanks for your support.
WE ARE SEEKING THESE ISSUES:
1941 V1 #2,
1942 V1 #3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
1942 V2 #1, 2
1943 V2 #3, 4, 6,
1944 V3 #6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12
1945 V4 #5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
1945/46 Vol 5 ANY
1950 Vol 9 #9 Sept, #12 Dec
1951 Vol 10 ANY
1952 Vol 11 #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
1953 Vol 12 ANY
1963 Vol 22 #7, 8, 12
1966 Vol 25 #4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12
1970 Vol 33 #27, 28, 29, 30, 31 (Apr - Aug)

This years archives submissions through the State Library's California Revealed project have been has been digitized and...
11/27/2024

This years archives submissions through the State Library's California Revealed project have been has been digitized and are available to view on the museum's project website. https://californiarevealed.org/partner/cal-fire-museum
I'm especially happy that they were able to salvage the magnetic soundtrack of a badly deteriorated 1962 film documentary on "Firefighting Aircraft" which tells the story of the development of the air tanker in California, and includes rare footage of the DC-7 tests, some FIRESTOP footage, and a good review of the steps it took to research and develop the technology.

Also, included in this years project is the first batch of Department Newsletters from 1941 to 1957, and the second half of the CalFire Museum's "Black Cards" photo collection, which means all 1440 photos in this group are now available online.

After a preview and edit period, these photos will also be searchable through the Internet Archive, Calisphere and several other web archive locations. Many thanks to the State Library grant program which has assisted in coordination and funding for this project and making the internet access possible!

Wonder what was on the menu for this?
11/22/2024

Wonder what was on the menu for this?

Pop Quiz. Only old timers know what this is.
11/12/2024

Pop Quiz. Only old timers know what this is.

Good Job! Cal FIRE appreciates its history.
11/07/2024

Good Job! Cal FIRE appreciates its history.

Located along the northern coast of California, Mendocino County is renowned for its rugged coastline, majestic redwood forests, and vibrant wine country, all of which are protected by the CAL FIRE Mendocino Unit (MEU).

Established in 1931, CAL FIRE MEU serves almost 100,000 residents across nearly 4,000 square miles. The unit operates 10 fire stations and responded to over 16,000 incidents in 2023. The Mendocino Unit is also home to Parlin Fork Conservation Camp, the oldest fire camp in Northern California, and Jackson Demonstration State Forest, the largest of CAL FIRE’s 14 demonstration state forests.

Fun Fact: Located in Fort Bragg along the coast of Mendocino County, Glass Beach is famous for its colorful sea glass, created from years of discarded glass washing up on the shore and being smoothed by the ocean.

Now, it’s your turn. If you live in or have a connection to Mendocino County, give a shoutout to CAL FIRE MEU in the comments. Show your support and share any stories/photos you may have!

Don’t forget to use the hashtag to join the conversation and let us know your thoughts. Together, we can celebrate the heroes of CAL FIRE MEU and all they do to keep their communities safe.

Although unveiling and adoption of the current CalFire logo and shoulder patch occurred in 2006, it did not become manda...
10/27/2024

Although unveiling and adoption of the current CalFire logo and shoulder patch occurred in 2006, it did not become mandatory wear on uniforms until August 2008. The patch itself had to be manufactured and distributed, and a wearout period was authorized. At the same time, the Department transitioned out of the 100% cotton blue work uniform trouser to a fire resistant blue pant eff: January 1, 2009 in recognition of NFPA standards.

Address

3800 N Sierra Way
San Bernardino, CA
92405

Telephone

+19098816984

Website

https://CalFireHistory.com/, https://calfirehistory.square.site/

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