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Hotshots

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San Bernardino National Forest Hotshots

(Forest Service)

Hotshots are elite firefighters trained to fight wildland fires and respond to other emergencies nationwide.

Our Mission Statement

Committed to providing a valuable public service through a long-standing tradition of professionalism, leadership and integrity.

Core Values

Integrity:

  • The cornerstone of the hotshot community.

Duty:

  • Leadership
  • Responsibility
  • Accountability
  • Physical Toughness
  • Mental Toughness

Respect:

  • Tradition
  • Pride
  • Professionalism
  • Teamwork
  • Inclusion

Becoming a Hotshot

San Bernardino National Forest Hot Shot History

  • Big Bear Hotshots Patch Logo

Big Bear Hotshots History

Big Bear started in 2001 as a Type-2 crew and progressed into a Type-1 crew by early 2002. In October of 2003, Big Bear was certified as a Regional Hotshot Crew set fourth by the Interagency Hotshot Operations Guide.

Today Big Bear Hotshots carry on the same traditions of our fellow Hotshots across the nation and follow the core values of Duty, Respect and Integrity.

  • By Kerry Greene
  • BDF
  • Fire
  • Hotshots
  • Del Rosa Hotshots Patch Logo

Del Rosa Hotshots History

Originally the crew was made up of two separate crews consisting of 15 people each, one Superintendent, one Assistant Superintendent and two Crew Forman for a total of thirty-two personnel, and several support personnel (cooks and camp help). The crew adopted its name from the small community that lies below the work center and Del Rosa Boulevard that leads to the Hot Shot camp from Hwy 30 to the west, the work center is now considered to be in the city limits of San Bernardino.

  • By Kerry Greene
  • BDF
  • Fire
  • Hotshots
  • Image of a  green and gold circular embroidered patch with three mountains in the center

Mill Creek Hotshots History

The crew was established in 1974 at the Mill Creek Ranger Station on the San Gorgonio Ranger District of the San Bernardino National Forest. The Mill Creek Hotshots appeared and disappeared several times during the next eight years with their first run from 1975 through 1978 under Superintendent Mike Goldenbee and foremen Richard Keebaugh and Dave Dooley.

  • By Kerry Greene
  • BDF
  • Fire
  • Hotshots
  • Image of a round green and gold embroidered patch

Vista Grande Hotshots History

In 1974, Region 5 Fire Management added a second Hotshot crew on the San Bernardino National Forest. The location chosen was Vista Grande Guard Station on the San Jacinto Ranger District. Vista Grande is located near the small mountain community of Idyllwild, California.

  • By Kerry Greene
  • BDF
  • Fire
  • Hotshots

Last updated April 4th, 2025