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5th California firefighter dies
01/11/2006 07:23 - (SA)
Colton, California - A fifth US forest service firefighter died of burns suffered when an engine crew was overrun by a Southern California wildfire, while investigators searched for the arsonist who set the blaze that burned 160 square kilometres.
Pablo Cerda, 23, died at Arrowhead Regional Medical Centre in Colton, California, Jeanne Wade Evans, the San Bernardino National Forest supervisor, said at a news conference outside the hospital.
"I felt the faith and hope for Pablo's recovery and actually felt a miracle might be possible," she said. "Today more sadness is added to our almost unbearable grief."
Cerda was burned over 90% of his body on Thursday as he and the crew of Engine 57 tried to protect a home from wind-driven flames in the San Jacinto Mountains about 140km east of Los Angeles.
Three other crew members died at the scene and Cerda's captain died soon after at a hospital.
Family 'let him go'
Cerda underwent extensive removal of damaged skin in an operation on Friday but was given a poor prognosis.
Dr Dev Gnanadev said Cerda's family was given the option of returning him to the operating room but "they decided to let Pablo go". He was taken off life support.
Authorities said the fire was deliberately set early on Thursday at the base of a slope in Cabazon, California, west of Palm Springs, as fierce winds blew through the region.
Before firefighters contained it on Monday, the blaze scorched 16 300 hectares and destroyed 34 homes and 20 outbuildings. A portion of a highway in the fire area remained closed indefinitely for repair.
Firefighting costs reached $9.9m, the California department of forestry said.
- AP
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