Smokey Bear Hotshots
Lincoln National Forest Ruidoso, New Mexico
HISTORY
Prior to the establishment of the Smokey Bear Hotshot Crew the Smokey Bear Ranger District, Lincoln National Forest utilized three six-man suppression crews. They were named Ruidoso, Eagle Creek, and Bonito. At one point there was a Ruidoso “Hotshot” Crew, comprised of volunteer firefighters.
The Smokey Bear Hotshot Crew was established in March 1976. The base of operations for the crew was and continues to be located in Ruidoso, New Mexico. The first crew consisted of 27 members with 7 day coverage of 20 people every day. The Washington Office approved the use of the name “Smokey Bear” due to the close proximity to the “Gap Fire” in the Capitan Mountains where Smokey Bear was found.
In 1976, the crew used a bunkhouse rented from the University of New Mexico. This also served as the crew’s duty station. The duty station relocated to the District Office in 1977. No housing was available at the District Office until 1999. Crew facilities at the district were a shared office converted from a vehicle bay. The crew facility moved to a shared office in the newly constructed “fire barn” in 1988. In 2001, a Fire Operations building was completed with offices, cache, conference room and weight room for the crew.
In 1976, crew transportation was a school bus. In 1977 two rental vans provided transportation with fabricated plywood storage boxes affixed on top for tools and gear. From 1978 until 1984 agency vans were used. Since 1984, a Superintendent truck and two 10 person Crew Carriers have been used.
Transportation to assignments in the 70s and early 80s was often accomplished by use of a contract Convair 580, Douglas DC-3, or De Haviland Twin Otter aircraft. The crew would depart from airports in Alamogordo, Roswell, Holloman AFB and Albuquerque in New Mexico and El Paso, Texas.
Issued equipment the first year was limited to a red hard hat (assigned by the Regional Office), two nomex fire shirts, a one gallon canteen, a cruisers vest, a snake bite kit, a web belt with two 1-quart canteens, a canvas pack for personal gear, and an early version of a fire shelter worn around the waist. Crew members were responsible for furnishing their own gloves and pants. The crew carried one pack set 4 channel radio.
Four Homelite or McCulloch chainsaws were available for use on both fire and work projects. Today, crewmembers are provided a full compliment of line gear and all season overnight gear. Each crewmember is assigned a project saw with multiple saws carried for Incident Assignment. Up to 12 handheld radios are used for assignments as well as GPS, laptops with remote access, and a satellite phone.
Work projects the first couple of years consisted primarily of a fuel break constructed on Grindstone Mesa, the ridge between Cedar Creek and Brady Canyon, and Alfred Hale Ridge. Due to limited chainsaw availability, much of the thinning was accomplished by Pulaski, double and single bit axes. Current project work includes Rx burn prep, Rx burning, thinning, trail maintenance and facility maintenance.
In the early years, physical conditioning consisted of group exercises and 1 to 3 mile runs up Cedar Creek or at a track that was located were the White Mountain middle school is now. The 1/4 mile fitness trail was constructed in 1978 by the Hotshot crew. A longer fitness trail of 1.3 miles was completed in 1980 and opened for public use. Currently crew runs up to 7 miles and fitness hikes are part of the PT program. The weight room is fully equipped and used daily except on days with extended runs or hikes.
In 1976, crew organization consisted of a permanent Hotshot Foreman and two temporary Squad Bosses, with the remaining personnel being temporary crewmembers. 1987 was the first year with a female crew member, Michelle “Ma” Rowe.
In 1991, the Foreman position was reclassified to Superintendent and a permanent Assistant position was established (13/13). In 1997, two permanent Squad Boss (13/13) positions were established. Currently, the crew has eight appointed positions, Superintendent (PFT), Captain (PFT), three Squad Leaders and three Senior Firefighters.
Crew Supervision:
Andy Hale: 1976 – 1984
Jerry Grim: 1985 – 1987
Bob LaMay: 1987 - 1999
Rich Dolphin: 1999 – present
ORIGINAL LOGO