{"id":77620,"date":"2025-11-25T12:51:17","date_gmt":"2025-11-25T20:51:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/?p=77620"},"modified":"2025-11-25T12:51:17","modified_gmt":"2025-11-25T20:51:17","slug":"barger-recognizes-tribal-firefighters-who-helped-save-communities-during-january-wildfires","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/?p=77620","title":{"rendered":"Barger Recognizes Tribal Firefighters Who Helped Save Communities During January Wildfires"},"content":{"rendered":"

Recognition event celebrates Native American fire crews whose actions protected homes, residents, and shared lands.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Supervisor Kathryn Barger stands alongside honorees during today’s recognition event (Photo credit: Bryan Chan\/LA County)<\/em><\/h2>\n

As Native American Heritage Month draws to a close, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger honored the tribal nations whose fire departments stepped forward to help battle the Eaton and Palisades wildfires earlier this year.<\/p>\n

When the fires swept through communities in January, fire crews from 15 tribal nations traveled from across California, Oregon, and Arizona to protect lives, homes, and natural resources during an unprecedented and dangerous chapter in the region\u2019s history.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn January, tribes came to our aid in our time of need,\u201d\u00a0Supervisor Kathryn Barger\u00a0<\/strong>said. \u201cTheir response reflects generosity, partnership, and a shared commitment to co-stewarding this land. Our Los Angeles County Fire Department relied on the incredible support of these tribal fire departments to provide mutual aid when it mattered most. I\u2019m honored to welcome representatives from several of these tribal nations here today.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Fernande\u00f1o Tataviam Band of Mission Indians Vice President Mark Villasenor performs a welcome song (Photo credit: Bryan Chan\/LA County)<\/em><\/h2>\n

Representatives from the\u00a0Barona Band of Mission Indians<\/strong>, the\u00a0Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation<\/strong>, and the\u00a0Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation<\/strong>\u00a0joined Supervisor Barger in person to take part in the recognition ceremony. It was preceded by\u00a0Fernande\u00f1o Tataviam Band of Mission Indians Vice President Mark<\/strong>\u00a0Villasenor\u00a0<\/strong>performing a short welcome song<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Supervisor Barger presented commemorative scrolls to the tribal leaders and fire officials as symbols of appreciation and as commitments to continued partnership.<\/p>\n

Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone<\/strong>\u00a0also spoke, reflecting on the magnitude of the firefight. \u201cIt is my honor to recognize the service and courage of the firefighters from these tribal nations,\u201d Chief Marrone said. \u201cI extend my deepest gratitude to their governments for supporting us as we battled these unprecedented wildfires. Never in my 39 years of service have I seen fire behavior like what we experienced. As we move forward, we will continue learning and adapting, including incorporating the fire management practices long used by Native American tribes to promote resilience across our landscapes. On behalf of the Los Angeles County Fire Department, thank you for standing shoulder to shoulder with us to save lives and protect our communities.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Pictured, from left to right: Loren Tsosie, Deago Yanez, and Tyron Barber, of the Navajo Scouts firefighter crew, rest as they finish up working on the Eaton Fire on\u00a0 January 17, 2025. (Photo credit:\u00a0<\/em>John Locher\/Associated Press)<\/em><\/h2>\n

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Members of the Navajo Scouts firefighter crew kick up dust as they clear debris from a landslide across a road on a hillside as they battle the Eaton Fire on January 17, 2025. (Photo credit: John Locher\/Associated Press)<\/em><\/h2>\n

Fire Chief Keith Alexander\u00a0<\/strong>of the\u00a0Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation\u00a0<\/strong>expressed deep appreciation for the recognition. \u201cOn behalf of the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation and San Manuel Fire Department, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Supervisor Barger and the entire Board of Supervisors for recognition of our efforts,\u201d he said. \u201cYour acknowledgement not only honors the bravery of our personnel, but also uplifts the spirit of our nation. We are proud to stand alongside the Los Angeles County Fire Department to protect lives and the land that we all cherish.\u201d<\/p>\n

The fifteen tribal nations that contributed mutual aid during the Los Angeles wildfires included the Barona Band of Mission Indians, Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians, Klamath Tribes, Morongo Band of Mission Indians, Navajo Nation, Pala Band of Mission Indians, Pechanga Band of Indians, Rincon Band of Luise\u00f1o Indians, Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, Soboba Band of Luise\u00f1o Indians, Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians, Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, and the Yurok Tribe.<\/p>\n

Leaders from the Los Angeles City\/County Native American Indian Commission were also present, including Chair Shawn Imitates Dog, Vice Chair Mark Villase\u00f1or, Commissioners Dr. Andrea Garcia, Vivian Garcia, John Only A Chief, and Rich Toyon, and Executive Director Alexandra Valdes.<\/p>\n

Each year, the Los Angeles City\/County Native American Indian Commission selects a theme for Native American Heritage Month. This year\u2019s theme is\u00a0Firekeepers: Honoring Tribal Firefighters, Indigenous Stewardship, and Future Ancestors<\/em>. \u201cI cannot think of a more fitting theme to acknowledge all Los Angeles County has endured and overcome in 2025,\u201d said\u00a0Supervisor Barger<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Members of the Yurok Nation fire department stand in front of a Yurok firefighting vehicle as they prepared to deploy to the Los Angeles region (Photo credit: Yurok Nation)<\/em><\/h2>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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