Respect to you who fight fires

Ever since their heroic efforts during the Sept. 11 terrorist

attacks, it was hard to imagine respect for firefighters climbing any

higher.

That was until last month, when wind-whipped wildfires swept

through Southern California hillsides and forests, turning once

scenic landscape and homes into cinder and killing some 20 people.

Again, firefighters had to dig deep and perform miracles in

sometimes unimaginable situations. They fought the flames valiantly

and did their level best to save homes and human lives from a fiery

destruction.

That’s not to say the fire didn’t win a major battle.

At last count, about 750,000 acres of land was burned, 3,500 homes

destroyed, 22 people killed, 174 injured and 95,000 people evacuated.

And after it’s all said and done, it will cost $2 billion to clean

it up.

Oh yeah, nearly 13,000 firefighters responded, one paying the

ultimate price.

And when the call came, Newport-Mesa firefighters answered, as

well.

Newport Beach sent three engines, 12 firefighters and two

battalion chiefs, and Costa Mesa sent two engines and eight

firefighters.

The Newport-Mesa firefighters went to San Bernardino, Upland, Simi

Valley and other points throughout the Inland Empire.

Our local firefighting teams proved once again how priceless they

are.

They proved that they are willing to risk their very lives to keep

our cities and homes safe and protect land and property from

destruction.

We hardly needed such a dramatic reminder of firefighters’

dedication, but it’s good to know that when the moment comes, we have

the very best in fire protection.

We can’t thank them enough.