Morton died while fighting the El Dorado Fire
As family and members of the Big Bear Hotshots stand by, U.S. Forest Service pallbearers move the casket of the fallen Big Bear Interagency Hotshot Charles Morton at the Ferrara Colonia Mortuary in Orange, Calif., following a procession from San Bernardino on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2020. Morton died on September 17 while battling the El Dorado Fire in the San Bernardino National Forest. (Mark Rightmire/The Orange County Register via AP)
By AMY TAXIN Associated Press
A California firefighter killed while battling a blaze in the mountains east of Los Angeles was identified Tuesday as a member of an elite Hotshot crew dedicated to fighting wildfires.
Charles Morton, 39, a San Diego native, was a 14-year veteran of the U.S. Forest Service and a squad boss for the Big Bear Interagency Hotshots in San Bernardino National Forest, officials said. He was married and had a daughter.
This photo provided by the family via the U.S. Forest Service shows Charles Morton, a squad boss with the Big Bear Interagency Hotshot Crew of the San Bernardino National Forest, in San Bernardino, Calif. Morton died Sept. 17, 2020, in San Bernardino National Forest as crews battled the El Dorado Fire about 75 miles (120 kilometers) east of Los Angeles, the U.S. Forest Service said in a statement. (Family Photo/Courtesy of U.S. Forest Service via AP)
Forest Service Chief Vicki Christiansen said Morton was a well-respected leader who was always there for his squad and his crew at the toughest times.
“Our hearts go out to Charlie’s loved ones, coworkers, friends and the Big Bear Hotshots,” she said. ”We will keep them in our thoughts and prayers.”
On Tuesday, a procession escorted Morton’s body from San Bernardino to an Orange County mortuary. Ramon Herrera, also with the U.S. Forest Service, told KTLA he had worked with Morton.
The California Highway Patrol leads the procession along with U.S. Forest Service vehicles as they escort fallen firefighter Charles Morton, killed while battling a blaze in the mountains east of Los Angeles, along Hewes Street in Orange, Calif., Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2020, from San Bernardino to the Ferrara Colonial Mortuary in Orange. Morton, 39, a San Diego native, was a 14-year veteran of the U.S. Forest Service and a squad boss for the Big Bear Interagency Hotshots in San Bernardino National Forest, officials said. (Mark Rightmire/The Orange County Register via AP)
“He always had my back,” Herrera said. “I mean, to lose such a good man, not just a firefighter, but he was a good person, and I’m going to miss him terribly.”
The U.S. Hotshots Association posted a photo of a belt buckle on social media after Morton’s death, writing: “Rest easy brother, may the wind be at your back.”
Hotshots, according to the Forest Service, are highly skilled hand crews and often assigned to work on the most challenging parts of wildfires. They must meet stringent standards for physical fitness and training.
Anaheim firefighters salute as the procession carrying fallen firefighter Charles Morton, killed while battling a blaze in the mountains east of Los Angeles, along Hewes Street in Orange, Calif., Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2020, from San Bernardino to the Ferrara Colonial Mortuary in Orange. Morton, 39, a San Diego native, was a 14-year veteran of the U.S. Forest Service and a squad boss for the Big Bear Interagency Hotshots in San Bernardino National Forest, officials said. (Mark Rightmire/The Orange County Register via AP)
Toni Atkins, president pro tempore of the California Senate said, “San Diego, and the state, lost a true hero last week.”
Patrick Gaines, who served on a Wyoming Hotshot crew in the 1990s, said the work is not for people that hold desk jobs during the week.
“This is arduous. It’s serious.” he said. “It’s very strenuous. It’s very demanding — not just physically, but mentally.”
Morton died Thursday while fighting the El Dorado fire some 80 miles (129 kilometers) east of Los Angeles. On Tuesday, it had burned more than 22,000 acres and was 60% contained. It was sparked when a couple used a device that was supposed to emit blue or pink smoke to reveal their baby’s gender.
Fire officials said the couple fired off the device in a field and it ignited grasses and quickly spread with sweltering temperatures, low humidity and a stiff breeze. The couple tried to put out the flames but couldn’t and called 911.
It was one of more than two dozen fires in the state.
Members of the Big Bear Hotshots are embraced by one of the U.S. Forest Service pallbearers following the procession carrying fallen firefighter Charles Morton, killed while battling a blaze in the mountains east of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2020, from San Bernardino to the Ferrara Colonial Mortuary in Orange, Calif. Morton, 39, a San Diego native, was a 14-year veteran of the U.S. Forest Service and a squad boss for the Big Bear Interagency Hotshots in San Bernardino National Forest, officials said. (Mark Rightmire/The Orange County Register via AP)
___
Associated Press writer Christopher Weber in Los Angeles contributed this report.
All contents © copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
