Dec. 20 marks the 45th anniversary of a major wildland fire caused by a falling electrical transformer during hurricane force winds that day in 1977.
Firefighters face many challenges in their careers, but the challenges of Dec. 20, 1977 are etched in the memories of those who were there.
Back in the day, during military inspector general evaluations, the team would suddenly hand the fire chief a card saying “you have died, do not respond to any radio calls” at the beginning of a test exercise. But these were simply war games to see if their subordinates could assume command effectively.
During the Honda Canyon Fire, what had been practiced in “war games” became a reality.
On Dec. 21, 2021, U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal spoke before Congress and entered the following passage into the Congressional Record:
“The Base, which at the time was known as Vandenberg Air Force Base, had strategic, scientific, and military significance to our military readiness and national security as the Western Space and Missile Center.
“In persistently safeguarding the Base, four individuals lost their lives. These heroes include the Base Commander Col. Joseph G. Turner, the Base Fire Chief Billy J. Bell, the Base Assistant Fire Chief Eugene Cooper, and a heavy equipment operator, Clarence McCauley.
“Furthermore, sixty-five active duty, government, civilian, and contract workers were injured when they were overrun by the Honda Canyon Fire.
“Despite these losses, active duty, government, and contract workers — augmented with local civilian fire fighting forces — continued to battle the flames to prevent the loss of vital military equipment, launch facilities, communications sites, and satellite test facilities.
“These personnel encountered an additional seven fire overruns of their personnel and equipment. They rescued injured and burned personnel, then regrouped to modify their tactics and strategies before heroically continuing to fight until the fire was subdued.
“Following this tragic fire, military commanders assessed their losses and their response to the fire, prepared a comprehensive mishap report, convened a planning group, and prepared an Operation Plan to address the findings of the mishap report. They enhanced training, firefighting capabilities, and support roles for all base operations groups to help manage similar events in the future.
“Unfortunately, the efforts of all those who fought the Honda Canyon Fire — whether active duty or civilian — have never been recognized.
“I want to acknowledge the loyalty, integrity and resourcefulness of the active duty, government civilian, and contract workers who assisted in fighting this fire.
“I ask all members of the House of Representatives to recognize them for service to their country, and specifically for their efforts to quell the historic Honda Canyon Fire and protect critical infrastructure at the Base, which is located in the California’s 24th Congressional District, and is an asset to the community and integral to our national security.”
“Firestorm ’77 The True Story of the Honda Canyon Fire” is a film dedicated to eyewitness accounts chronicling what happened that day. According to the film’s Facebook page, it is a “story of a wind-driven wildfire on a California Air Force base that transformed into a power struggle between military command and civilian firefighters resulting in tragic loss of life and, for survivors, a lifetime of recurring trauma.”
The film has apparently resonated with viewers, has been shown at film festivals, and is garnering worldwide awards.
A memorial has been placed at Beatty Park in Lompoc to recognize the loss to our community and another was placed in front of Fire Department headquarters in early 1978 on Vandenberg Space Force Base.
