CALIFORNIA – On a beautiful, sunny day, five generations of Mendocino hotshot superintendents gathered together to lead a group as part of the Rattlesnake Fire memorial staff ride. The group was composed Forest Service’s board of directors and fire chiefs, who travelled from California’s 18 national forests, operational bases and the regional office to participate in the ride. The memorial staff ride retraces the events of the July 9, 1953, Rattlesnake Fire, allowing participants to walk in the footsteps of the 15 firefighters tragically lost in that fire.

Throughout the day, facilitators led discussions about the challenges of operational risk management, communication and strategic risk management. The event, which includes a hike along the escape routes on Powderhouse Ridge, was a great team-building exercise.

The ride also taught participants critical lessons in communication, safety and risk management. “We are going back to the basics with the staff ride,” said Curtis Coots, Mendocino National Forest Fire Management Officer. “I learn something new every time, at each stand.” The Rattlesnake Staff Ride, facilitated by the Mendocino hotshots, is offered several times each year as an immersive learning exercise for new firefighters and apprentices.

The memorial at the Rattlesnake Overlook, which suffered severe damage in the 2020 August Complex Fire, was recently restored. Over the 2022-2023 winter season, as weather permitted, the Mendocino hotshots drove up the mountain to make repairs to the masonry at the memorial site. They completed the installation of a new interpretive display and also repaired the wooden hanger on the original missionary fire bell.

Learn more about the Rattlesnake Memorial.