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The Esperanza Fire: Arson, Murder, and the Agony of Engine 57
When a jury returns to a packed courtroom to announce its verdict in a capital murder case every noise, even a scraped chair or an opening door, resonates like a high-tension cable snap. Spectators stop rustling in their seats; prosecution and defense lawyers and the accused stiffen into attitudes of wariness; and the judge looks on owlishly. In that atmosphere of heightened expectation the jury entered a Riverside County Superior Court room in southern California to render a decision in the trial of Raymond Oyler, charged with murder for setting the Esperanza Fire of 2006, which killed a five man Forest Service engine crew sent to fight the blaze.
Today, wildland fire is everybody’s business, from the White House to the fireground. Wildfires have grown bigger, more intense, more destructive—and more expensive. Federal taxpayers, for example, footed most of the $16 million bill for fighting the Esperanza Fire. But the highest cost was the lives of the five-man crew of Engine 57, the first wildland engine crew ever to be wiped out by flames.
Today, wildland fire is everybody’s business, from the White House to the fireground. Wildfires have grown bigger, more intense, more destructive—and more expensive. Federal taxpayers, for example, footed most of the $16 million bill for fighting the Esperanza Fire. But the highest cost was the lives of the five-man crew of Engine 57, the first wildland engine crew ever to be wiped out by flames.
319 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
About the author
John N. Maclean
13 books99 followersJohn Norman Maclean is a prize-winning author and journalist, has published four books on fatal wildland fires.
Maclean was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1943, the second of two children.Maclean is the son of Norman Maclean, author of the novella A River Runs Through It.
He attended the Chicago school system through high school and graduated from Shimer College, then in Mt. Carroll, Illinois, a former satellite school of the University of Chicago. An honor student at Shimer, he received the school’s distinguished alumni award in 1975.He married Frances Ellen McGeachie in 1968; they have two adult sons, Daniel, a science teacher in Anchorage, Alaska, and John Fitzroy, a public defender for the state of Maryland.
John Maclean was a writer, editor, and reporter for the Chicago Tribune for 30 years before he resigned in 1995 to begin a second career writing books. Maclean started his journalistic career in 1964 as a police reporter and rewrite man with the legendary City News Bureau of Chicago. He went to work for the Chicago Tribune the following year.
In 1970, Maclean was assigned to the Washington Bureau of the Tribune. As diplomatic correspondent there he covered the State Department and was a regular on the "Kissinger Shuttle," covering much of the "shuttle diplomacy" of Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. Maclean was a Nieman Fellow in Journalism at Harvard University for the 1974-1975 academic year. He became the Tribune’s Foreign Editor in Chicago in 1988. He resigned from the newspaper in 1995 to write Fire on the Mountain.
Maclean, a frequent speaker at wildland fire academies, workshops, and conventions, is a member of the Seeley Lake Volunteer Fire Department and the Explorer's Club. He is a qualified as a federal public information officer.
Maclean was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1943, the second of two children.Maclean is the son of Norman Maclean, author of the novella A River Runs Through It.
He attended the Chicago school system through high school and graduated from Shimer College, then in Mt. Carroll, Illinois, a former satellite school of the University of Chicago. An honor student at Shimer, he received the school’s distinguished alumni award in 1975.He married Frances Ellen McGeachie in 1968; they have two adult sons, Daniel, a science teacher in Anchorage, Alaska, and John Fitzroy, a public defender for the state of Maryland.
John Maclean was a writer, editor, and reporter for the Chicago Tribune for 30 years before he resigned in 1995 to begin a second career writing books. Maclean started his journalistic career in 1964 as a police reporter and rewrite man with the legendary City News Bureau of Chicago. He went to work for the Chicago Tribune the following year.
In 1970, Maclean was assigned to the Washington Bureau of the Tribune. As diplomatic correspondent there he covered the State Department and was a regular on the "Kissinger Shuttle," covering much of the "shuttle diplomacy" of Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. Maclean was a Nieman Fellow in Journalism at Harvard University for the 1974-1975 academic year. He became the Tribune’s Foreign Editor in Chicago in 1988. He resigned from the newspaper in 1995 to write Fire on the Mountain.
Maclean, a frequent speaker at wildland fire academies, workshops, and conventions, is a member of the Seeley Lake Volunteer Fire Department and the Explorer's Club. He is a qualified as a federal public information officer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
May 3, 2016
I need to make a caveat before I start: I am not comparing this book to Young Men and Fire because Young Men and Fire exists in a special category all its own. I find it literally incomparable, and it is therefore manifestly unfair to hold any other book up to that standard.
That said, The Esperanza Fire is an excellent book. Maclean know how to tell a story; he knows how to organize his facts; he moves effortlessly back and forth along the timeline from the start of the Esperanza Fire to the aftermath of Oyler's trial for murder (proving, by the way, that it can be done, and done excellently). His prose style is both unobtrusive and graceful, and he pays careful attention to all of the hydra-like heads of the fire, the fight against it, and all of the snaking investigative heads that sprang up from the severed neck-stump of the first flaming head. (Okay, wow. That metaphor really got away from me. Sorry. And, yes, I know the irony that the Hydra was defeated by fire.) He doesn't try to pretend knowledge he doesn't have (he no more than speculates, based on the evidence that remained, about what happened at the Octagon House; he makes no pretense of presenting any of the dead men's points of view). And he is compassionately impartial, presenting conflicting testimony and offering a rational judgment of the more likely narrative without villifying or excoriating anyone.
He tells the story of the first disastrous morning of the Esperanza Fire vividly and clearly, showing how close the firefighters at the Tile House and at the Double-Wide came to sharing Engine 57's fate, showing how much of their survival was because of the whim of the fire, not because they were braver or smarter or better prepared than the men who died.
For me, this book also emphasized how much we need firefighters, how much we owe to people who are willing to do that job. (I say this as someone who would crack like a hollow egg under that kind of pressure). So if you, Gentle Reader, are a firefighter, thank you.
That said, The Esperanza Fire is an excellent book. Maclean know how to tell a story; he knows how to organize his facts; he moves effortlessly back and forth along the timeline from the start of the Esperanza Fire to the aftermath of Oyler's trial for murder (proving, by the way, that it can be done, and done excellently). His prose style is both unobtrusive and graceful, and he pays careful attention to all of the hydra-like heads of the fire, the fight against it, and all of the snaking investigative heads that sprang up from the severed neck-stump of the first flaming head. (Okay, wow. That metaphor really got away from me. Sorry. And, yes, I know the irony that the Hydra was defeated by fire.) He doesn't try to pretend knowledge he doesn't have (he no more than speculates, based on the evidence that remained, about what happened at the Octagon House; he makes no pretense of presenting any of the dead men's points of view). And he is compassionately impartial, presenting conflicting testimony and offering a rational judgment of the more likely narrative without villifying or excoriating anyone.
He tells the story of the first disastrous morning of the Esperanza Fire vividly and clearly, showing how close the firefighters at the Tile House and at the Double-Wide came to sharing Engine 57's fate, showing how much of their survival was because of the whim of the fire, not because they were braver or smarter or better prepared than the men who died.
For me, this book also emphasized how much we need firefighters, how much we owe to people who are willing to do that job. (I say this as someone who would crack like a hollow egg under that kind of pressure). So if you, Gentle Reader, are a firefighter, thank you.
August 10, 2024
This is a very good book. It is one of the best that I have read this year. MacLean takes us through the science of the fatal fire that swept over and ultimately destroyed Engine 57 and its crew. The fire was set by a serial arsonist. MacLean does not blame climate change for the cause of western wildland fires and their greater intensity. Instead, he discusses real issues.
1) Misguided management from the US Forest Service that calls for a zero-burn policy.
2) More people living in bad places on the forest/urban interface.
3) Arsonists.
He points out that 15% of forest fires in the western states are started by arsonists. He also discusses the blame game and liability issues that have cropped up in the fire service over the last 30 years.
I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in fires or wild land fires in the US. It is easy to read and is written with the excitement of a thriller. Well done!
1) Misguided management from the US Forest Service that calls for a zero-burn policy.
2) More people living in bad places on the forest/urban interface.
3) Arsonists.
He points out that 15% of forest fires in the western states are started by arsonists. He also discusses the blame game and liability issues that have cropped up in the fire service over the last 30 years.
I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in fires or wild land fires in the US. It is easy to read and is written with the excitement of a thriller. Well done!
March 29, 2016
John N. MacLean, veteran journalist and author (or co-author) of such books about wildland firefighting as "Young Men and Fire" (co-author) and "Fire on the Mountain" tackled another heart-wrenching story in "The Esperanza Fire." Unlike the previous books which were pretty straightforward in examining the decisionmaking processes and fire behavior in unpeeling the onion of those tragedies, this one dealt with a new element - arson.
What MacLean offers is a very compelling narrative told quite objectively. It is easy to pile on the anger towards an arson, especially when one has as much connections to the fire fighting community as MacLean does, but he refrains from doing so throughout this book. He covers all sides of the investigation and treats each person or organization with the utmost of professionalism, including the arsonist and jurors.
MacLean's experience as a journalist and author clearly shines in this book. The storyline is complex, but MacLean wades through it in a way that makes sense. I believe this is his best work yet.
What MacLean offers is a very compelling narrative told quite objectively. It is easy to pile on the anger towards an arson, especially when one has as much connections to the fire fighting community as MacLean does, but he refrains from doing so throughout this book. He covers all sides of the investigation and treats each person or organization with the utmost of professionalism, including the arsonist and jurors.
MacLean's experience as a journalist and author clearly shines in this book. The storyline is complex, but MacLean wades through it in a way that makes sense. I believe this is his best work yet.
August 8, 2018
I don’t know many people who don’t love watching fire. I certainly do, when it’s controlled. But one thing I’ve never understood is setting one that completely destroys things, and with the horrible fires going on right now in the American west - especially California - it’s worth looking back at the fire that resulted in the first arson murder conviction and death penalty in California history.
The Esperanza fire was one of a series that was set by an arsonist. Even before this particular fire was set, the authorities were aware that there was an arsonist on the loose, and they were looking for him. But this fire, due to a confluence of the lay of the land and fuel availability, resulted in the deaths of five firefighters. They died a terrible death, basically roasting in a jet of flame that overcame them before they had a chance to deploy their shelters.
Part of the MacLean book reads like a true crime book, detailing the investigation and eventual arrest and conviction of the arsonist. Part of it reads like a disaster book, explaining what probably happened and how, the history of similar events, and a warning about future horrors (which appears to be coming true as I write). It was an ideal book for me. The best - and also worst - part of the whole thing is that MacLean has a gift for evoking empathy, I really felt for the families of the firefighters, and even for the family of the arsonist.
I am against the death penalty in principle. I do not think that it is an appropriate punishment and I do not think it is a deterrent. But I can fully understand why the jury came back with that decision - even if I would not have made it myself - and I hurt for the community that lost five wonderful people who also happened to be heroic firefighters. May their friends and family find peace. Certainly they are trying - I may one day visit the memorial.
Five of five stars.
The Esperanza fire was one of a series that was set by an arsonist. Even before this particular fire was set, the authorities were aware that there was an arsonist on the loose, and they were looking for him. But this fire, due to a confluence of the lay of the land and fuel availability, resulted in the deaths of five firefighters. They died a terrible death, basically roasting in a jet of flame that overcame them before they had a chance to deploy their shelters.
Part of the MacLean book reads like a true crime book, detailing the investigation and eventual arrest and conviction of the arsonist. Part of it reads like a disaster book, explaining what probably happened and how, the history of similar events, and a warning about future horrors (which appears to be coming true as I write). It was an ideal book for me. The best - and also worst - part of the whole thing is that MacLean has a gift for evoking empathy, I really felt for the families of the firefighters, and even for the family of the arsonist.
I am against the death penalty in principle. I do not think that it is an appropriate punishment and I do not think it is a deterrent. But I can fully understand why the jury came back with that decision - even if I would not have made it myself - and I hurt for the community that lost five wonderful people who also happened to be heroic firefighters. May their friends and family find peace. Certainly they are trying - I may one day visit the memorial.
Five of five stars.
November 30, 2020
I always knew from his stories that wild land fire fighting was dangerous. After reading this book, I am SO glad my boyfriend does not fight fires in Southern California anymore. I’m proud of him for spending the amount of time he did doing it and of his heroism but this story is devastating and heart wrenching. I can’t imagine being one of the wives of the fallen men. This book tells an amazing story from all perspectives and is very informative. For those of you who think firefighters turn a hose on and spray water, you better get your facts straight. These men and woman risk their lives, every day, to save people and structures from loss. They need to do a lot more than turn a nozzle to do so. These people are heroes. My heart goes out to those families of Engine 57. This story will forever stay with me.
July 3, 2020
Without question the book is well written, captivating, and a good piece of story telling. However, frustratingly, Mr. Maclean seems to fancy himself a fire investigator, not a journalist and author, and too frequently substitutes his notions of fire investigation for the professionals at the US Forest Service and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. It is in Mr. Maclean’s needless opining that he loses an otherwise well done work.
August 8, 2019
You might also enjoy:
✱ Smokejumper
✱ Fire Season: Field Notes from a Wilderness Lookout
✱ The Fire Line: The Granite Mountain Hotshots
✱ Smoke Jumping on the Western Fire Line
✱ Wildfire: On the Front Lines with Station 8
✱ A Season of Fire: Four Months on the Firelines
✱ Under a Flaming Sky: The Great Hinckley Firestorm of 1894
✱ The Big Burn: Teddy Roosevelt and the Fire That Saved America
✱ Fire on the Mountain: The South Canyon Fire
✱ The Thirtymile Fire
✱ Young Men and Fire
✱ Smokejumper
✱ Fire Season: Field Notes from a Wilderness Lookout
✱ The Fire Line: The Granite Mountain Hotshots
✱ Smoke Jumping on the Western Fire Line
✱ Wildfire: On the Front Lines with Station 8
✱ A Season of Fire: Four Months on the Firelines
✱ Under a Flaming Sky: The Great Hinckley Firestorm of 1894
✱ The Big Burn: Teddy Roosevelt and the Fire That Saved America
✱ Fire on the Mountain: The South Canyon Fire
✱ The Thirtymile Fire
✱ Young Men and Fire
October 19, 2021
I’m a student of fire. I study it as a former firefighter, current risk reduction specialist, longtime environmental historian, and dweller of the urban interface. John N. Maclean’s book, The Esperanza Fire: Arson, Murder and the Agony of Engine 57, delivered for my ongoing study of this fascinating phenomenon.
When an arsonist ignited the Esperanza Fire on October 26, 2006, on the outskirts of Cabazon, CA, he set in motion a wildfire of epic power. It churned upslope through xeric vegetation toward homes. Firefighters descended rural roads to defend homes now known to firefighters by their nicknames: the Doublewide, the Tile House, and the Octagon House. When Santa Anna winds found the wildfire churning under an inversion, they supercharged the fire allowing it to punch through the temperature-lid and ignite a sloped area ignition that resembled a blowtorch. Fire runs threatened four Forest Service and one Air Force engine crews; the blowtorch killed the crew of USFS Engine 57.
Maclean artfully writes for both firefighters and civilians making complex fire behavior, firefighting tactics, and arson investigations accessible and engaging. He thoroughly researched the wildfire, the firefighters’ deaths, and the arson investigation interviewing survivors, family members, command staff, attorneys, investigators, and even the arsonist. He observed the trial and walked the site of the fatalities. He critiqued each of his sources fairly without getting too preachy and put together a dramatic narrative that was hard to put down.
The Esperanza Fire was the first time a wildfire killed an entire engine crew. It also marked the first time an arsonist was convicted on murder charges for a wild land fire and, as a result, the first time an wild land fire arsonist was sentenced to death. It was a tragic incident ignited as one more in a string of fires set deliberately by a serial arsonist, a string that stopped suddenly with his arrest.
Reading this book is one way to remember the crew of Engine 57. It’s also a step in improving your understanding of what wildfire can do physically, ecologically, and culturally. I recommend it.
When an arsonist ignited the Esperanza Fire on October 26, 2006, on the outskirts of Cabazon, CA, he set in motion a wildfire of epic power. It churned upslope through xeric vegetation toward homes. Firefighters descended rural roads to defend homes now known to firefighters by their nicknames: the Doublewide, the Tile House, and the Octagon House. When Santa Anna winds found the wildfire churning under an inversion, they supercharged the fire allowing it to punch through the temperature-lid and ignite a sloped area ignition that resembled a blowtorch. Fire runs threatened four Forest Service and one Air Force engine crews; the blowtorch killed the crew of USFS Engine 57.
Maclean artfully writes for both firefighters and civilians making complex fire behavior, firefighting tactics, and arson investigations accessible and engaging. He thoroughly researched the wildfire, the firefighters’ deaths, and the arson investigation interviewing survivors, family members, command staff, attorneys, investigators, and even the arsonist. He observed the trial and walked the site of the fatalities. He critiqued each of his sources fairly without getting too preachy and put together a dramatic narrative that was hard to put down.
The Esperanza Fire was the first time a wildfire killed an entire engine crew. It also marked the first time an arsonist was convicted on murder charges for a wild land fire and, as a result, the first time an wild land fire arsonist was sentenced to death. It was a tragic incident ignited as one more in a string of fires set deliberately by a serial arsonist, a string that stopped suddenly with his arrest.
Reading this book is one way to remember the crew of Engine 57. It’s also a step in improving your understanding of what wildfire can do physically, ecologically, and culturally. I recommend it.
January 12, 2013
A strong journalistic writer in his own right. It is a shame that he will always be compared to his father. Nonfiction that reads like fiction. Excellent prose and forensics regarding the tragic deaths of a fire crew fighting an arson fire, and the story of the trial of the individual who was found guilty of the arson. I would like to see the author tackle a topic that is not related to forest/wild fires. Perhaps he's up to the challenge of something like the Sandy Hook murders. I'd love to see his approach to an event like this.
January 31, 2013
A great read. As a firefighter who work in this area, this book makes some of our fears a reality. The most honest look at a great tragedy.
October 15, 2019
In "The Esperanza Fire," John Maclean takes on yet another high-fatality wildfire. In this case, there are two dramas intertwined. The first drama is that of Raymond Oyler, the arsonist who would ultimately be charged with murder in the deaths that resulted from his inferno. Throughout the book, we're taking through the growing case against Oyler, always knowing he will be the eventual convict, but trying to figure out if there's enough evidence to make the case. The writing is on the wall, though, and Maclean is quite persuaded - and persuasive - in making the case that Oyler is the only lead really worth following.
The second drama is much more complicated, however: it's the question of how so many firefighters could be killed - and, frankly, put themselves in a risky enough position to be killed.
Here Maclean is much more equivocal. He stops short of laying much blame, other than on the physical characteristics of the fire itself (an 'area ignition' that was because of the incredible intensity of the fire and could not have been predicted). Maclean is careful not to blame the dead crew, nor their superior, who claims (a claim that's disputed by many others) that he told them to leave the site. It's an understandable posture: Maclean depends on access to firefighters for his various books, and a clear determination of fault would likely spoil that. Yet, it leaves the ultimate mystery of the book unresolved: why did the crew stay in such a dangerous place? We approach - and even are asked - the question multiple times, but it's never answered.
That isn't to diminish the book as a whole. Maclean is an engaging writer to read, and the book has a compelling narrative arc to it. Unlike many books about catastrophic events, the intrigue doesn't fall off after the event itself either. Maclean is masterful in using the investigation and court case to continue the reader's engagement. It's a great read and designed for a binge into the world of wildland firefighting.
The second drama is much more complicated, however: it's the question of how so many firefighters could be killed - and, frankly, put themselves in a risky enough position to be killed.
Here Maclean is much more equivocal. He stops short of laying much blame, other than on the physical characteristics of the fire itself (an 'area ignition' that was because of the incredible intensity of the fire and could not have been predicted). Maclean is careful not to blame the dead crew, nor their superior, who claims (a claim that's disputed by many others) that he told them to leave the site. It's an understandable posture: Maclean depends on access to firefighters for his various books, and a clear determination of fault would likely spoil that. Yet, it leaves the ultimate mystery of the book unresolved: why did the crew stay in such a dangerous place? We approach - and even are asked - the question multiple times, but it's never answered.
That isn't to diminish the book as a whole. Maclean is an engaging writer to read, and the book has a compelling narrative arc to it. Unlike many books about catastrophic events, the intrigue doesn't fall off after the event itself either. Maclean is masterful in using the investigation and court case to continue the reader's engagement. It's a great read and designed for a binge into the world of wildland firefighting.
October 24, 2021
This book was suggested to be from Goodreads, as I had previously read a book about Granite Mountain and The Thirty Mile Fire. I got this particular book on Audible with my credits, and listened it fairly quickly. The Esperanza Fire started on October 26, 2006 via arson. It was also fueled by the Santa Ana winds, making the spread of fire extremely rapid. This fire took the lives of five firemen, burned something like 50+ structures, damaged the paved highway, and burned over 40,000 acres. There were an additional number of fire personnel who were injured in various ways, but recovered. I was highly irritated with how everyone wanted to place blame on the firemen. Perhaps they made good decisions and the conditions rapidly changed, perhaps they made poor decisions. The fact that they lost their lives is more than enough punishment for whatever decisions that were made that were unfortunate. The fact remains that this fire was intentionally set by a louse, and none of them would have been there to make any decisions if the fire was not set on purpose. Oyler had some previous run ins with the legal system, and had plenty of red flag, creepy qualities. I had to Google the images of the fire and people involved while I was listening to this book, and I have to say that he looks similar to the imagine my mind conjured up. During the book it said he had an ICP poster on his wall that, as stereotypical as this sounds, told me basically all I needed to know about his personality. I hate to say a book like this is good, because of the subject matter, but it was interesting, engaging, well written and researched, and I learned quite a bit about this event that I did not know. I would highly recommend for anyone interested in disasters, crime, or firefighting.
November 22, 2024
A Riveting Exploration of Tragedy, Heroism, and Justice.
John N. Maclean’s The Esperanza Fire: Arson, Murder, and the Agony of Engine 57 is far more than a recounting of a devastating wildfire. This meticulously researched book delves into the heartbreaking events of 2006, when five firefighters lost their lives in a wind-driven blaze that consumed their position in Southern California’s rugged terrain.
Maclean masterfully balances the technical aspects of wildland firefighting with the deeply personal stories of those involved, creating a narrative that is as informative as it is emotionally gripping. Through vivid storytelling, he brings to life the dangerous beauty of the fire, the camaraderie of the firefighting brotherhood, and the harrowing aftermath for the victims’ families and colleagues.
What sets The Esperanza Fire apart is its exploration of justice. The book unpacks the arson investigation and subsequent murder trial of Raymond Lee Oyler with the precision of a crime thriller. From DNA evidence to courtroom drama, Maclean crafts a compelling story that reads like fiction while staying firmly rooted in fact.
This is a book that lingers. Whether you’re familiar with firefighting or not, the raw humanity of this story—the bravery, the grief, and the quest for accountability—will leave an indelible mark. Maclean’s work is a tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice and a sobering reminder of the consequences of one man’s reckless actions.
John N. Maclean’s The Esperanza Fire: Arson, Murder, and the Agony of Engine 57 is far more than a recounting of a devastating wildfire. This meticulously researched book delves into the heartbreaking events of 2006, when five firefighters lost their lives in a wind-driven blaze that consumed their position in Southern California’s rugged terrain.
Maclean masterfully balances the technical aspects of wildland firefighting with the deeply personal stories of those involved, creating a narrative that is as informative as it is emotionally gripping. Through vivid storytelling, he brings to life the dangerous beauty of the fire, the camaraderie of the firefighting brotherhood, and the harrowing aftermath for the victims’ families and colleagues.
What sets The Esperanza Fire apart is its exploration of justice. The book unpacks the arson investigation and subsequent murder trial of Raymond Lee Oyler with the precision of a crime thriller. From DNA evidence to courtroom drama, Maclean crafts a compelling story that reads like fiction while staying firmly rooted in fact.
This is a book that lingers. Whether you’re familiar with firefighting or not, the raw humanity of this story—the bravery, the grief, and the quest for accountability—will leave an indelible mark. Maclean’s work is a tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice and a sobering reminder of the consequences of one man’s reckless actions.
January 16, 2021
Because I write about wildland fire, I enjoy reading books about it. In all the nonfiction books I've read about wildfire and the firefighters who fight it, John Maclean's writing is evocative, well-researched, and his accounts read like a page-turning novel. His prose is stellar and he breathes life into events and makes them come alive for the reader. Unfortunately wildland firefighting remains a dangerous profession and those brave souls who step up to contain these increasingly alarming blazes don't always survive the outcome. Maclean tells their stories in bone-chilling detail that are sometimes hard to read...but he narrates the accounts of what happened with such gentle respect, readers can't help but be moved by his words. I recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in wildland fire or who has experienced it firsthand. Well done.
April 28, 2020
Anatomy of a tragic fire...
After reading some confusing and contradictory descriptions of the recent fires in California, this account of an earlier fire gives structure and clarity to the decisions firefighters have to make under horrific conditions. How often arson is involved in wildfires
was surprising, as were the meticulous methods of investigation used to determine just what happened. This book provided an eye-opening though sad learning curve for me - and I applaud author Maclean for keeping the narrative interesting and provocative.
After reading some confusing and contradictory descriptions of the recent fires in California, this account of an earlier fire gives structure and clarity to the decisions firefighters have to make under horrific conditions. How often arson is involved in wildfires
was surprising, as were the meticulous methods of investigation used to determine just what happened. This book provided an eye-opening though sad learning curve for me - and I applaud author Maclean for keeping the narrative interesting and provocative.
Read
August 2, 2022Detailed forensics of the burnover including how it formed, why it formed, and every step taken by the deceased once the deadly wall of superheated products of combustion reached them. Author then covered with equal attention to detail the clue trails leading to the suspicion, eventual arrest, and successful conviction of the arsonist, who will never experience freedom for the rest of his miserable life.
July 20, 2019
Extremely disturbing to me, as a coworker was a family member of one of the firefighters. It was potentially helpful to my community, as I didn’t really understand the speed of fires and how they can be so dangerous, even at a distance.
February 27, 2020
Not for me. Much more detail than I wanted, even though little is known about the central event. The story was drawn out. I did appreciate seeing the perspectives of California wildland firefighters.
April 28, 2020
Interesting and insightful true story of the Esperanza fire
I This account of the deadly Esperanza wildfire in California in which five firefighters were killed and a serial arsonist was convicted of murder. This was a compelling account that read like a novel.
I This account of the deadly Esperanza wildfire in California in which five firefighters were killed and a serial arsonist was convicted of murder. This was a compelling account that read like a novel.
July 7, 2020
A powerful read
I always like Mr McLeans books, they are open minded and always factual. Such a sad story for those brave fire fighters and much respect to all. Thank you John for writing this book
I always like Mr McLeans books, they are open minded and always factual. Such a sad story for those brave fire fighters and much respect to all. Thank you John for writing this book
May 19, 2020
Engrossing and informative.
October 14, 2020
An okay book, but it seemed sporadic, almost as if there were chapters missing. I was happy to wrap it up.
December 2, 2020
Sad but true
A sad but true account of a serial arsonist. A well written account covering in depth the entire Esperanza Fire.
A sad but true account of a serial arsonist. A well written account covering in depth the entire Esperanza Fire.
July 29, 2013
A solid accounting of the the fatal Esperanza fire (caused by an arsonist), which claimed the lives of all 5 Firefighters from USFS Engine 57 in Southern California.
Maclean goes to lengths to present facts from as many sources as possible and allow for criticism and corrections by others involved to paint a more complete picture of what happened on the fireline (without looking to lay blame or participating in CYA behavior).
Comprehensive in terms of addressing as many of the individuals playing critical roles as possible. Cautionary in terms of offering a series of "lessons learned" from a variety of officials that participated in the firefighting operations at Esperanza.
An engaging read, to say the least.
By way of disclosure - I did serve as a volunteer firefighter and paid paramedic in the past, though I did not participate in wild land firefighting operations or training, so I did not second guess anything based on "what I would do" as I lack the training / skills to do so.
Maclean goes to lengths to present facts from as many sources as possible and allow for criticism and corrections by others involved to paint a more complete picture of what happened on the fireline (without looking to lay blame or participating in CYA behavior).
Comprehensive in terms of addressing as many of the individuals playing critical roles as possible. Cautionary in terms of offering a series of "lessons learned" from a variety of officials that participated in the firefighting operations at Esperanza.
An engaging read, to say the least.
By way of disclosure - I did serve as a volunteer firefighter and paid paramedic in the past, though I did not participate in wild land firefighting operations or training, so I did not second guess anything based on "what I would do" as I lack the training / skills to do so.
July 11, 2013
(On July 2, as I was beginning to read this book): My heart goes out to the families of the 19 Granite Mountain Hotshots killed in Yarnell, Arizona Sunday, battling a huge wildfire. Author John Maclean so completely and respectfully researches significant and tragic wildfires, as I have read in his book THE THIRTYMILE FIRE, and have now begun to read about in THE ESPERANZA FIRE. I can only begin to understand the brave psyche that drives men and women to become firefighters....
(After completion of this book ion July 8): A very thorough and well-written exploration into the Esperanza Fire in California in 2006, the arson-set wildfire that tragically claimed the lives of the five men of Engine 57. Apparently, it is the first arson-set wildfire for which the arsonist was tried and convicted of murder. John Maclean writes with passion and admiration of the brave crew of Engine 57.
(After completion of this book ion July 8): A very thorough and well-written exploration into the Esperanza Fire in California in 2006, the arson-set wildfire that tragically claimed the lives of the five men of Engine 57. Apparently, it is the first arson-set wildfire for which the arsonist was tried and convicted of murder. John Maclean writes with passion and admiration of the brave crew of Engine 57.
March 26, 2013
From my own limited experience with fires in and around my homes in California, it has been easy to take for granted the chances firefighters must take in their chosen profession. They have saved my property more than once in what seems like effortless controlled proficiency. Having helped first hand in both the Panorama and Old fires and several brush fires in the canyon where we live, it is still sometimes difficult to explain the power of a brushfire. They often look easily controllable. The author does a strong job of describing both hurry up & wait nature of firefighting and the sudden deadly behavior changes of an active fire. It reads like fiction but is definitely well-researched, well-written fact. Thank you John MacLean for reminding us the price they pay to protect us. These firefighters and their families are heroes every time they leave home.
May 17, 2013
This is another of the author's excellent accounts of wildland fires that resulted in firefighter deaths. The Esperanza Fire occurred east of Los Angeles in October of 2006 and caused the burnover and deaths of 5 members of a US Forest Service Engine Crew. What makes this account different from the others (South Canyon, Thirty Mile) is that the Esperanza Fire was ignited by a serial arsonist.
As in his previous works, the author delves into the personal lives and characters of the people involved. What makes this book stand out is the search for, capture and conviction of the perpetrator. Because fatalities were involved, this became a capital murder case.
The book contained a great deal of information about arson investigation and the kinds of people who are likely to start fires.
As in his previous works, the author delves into the personal lives and characters of the people involved. What makes this book stand out is the search for, capture and conviction of the perpetrator. Because fatalities were involved, this became a capital murder case.
The book contained a great deal of information about arson investigation and the kinds of people who are likely to start fires.
May 21, 2013
A well written true story of firefighters culture, life and death. It takes place in Southern California, one of three places in the world with the highest incidences of wild fires (the other two being South of France and Australia). The author is the "Bob Woodward" (according to National Geographic Adventure) of forest fires who has gained tremendous bonafide(s) with the fire fighting professionals. The story is about five firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty. The case is the first arson conviction - wild fire. True, gripping, 'easy read' i.e. flowing writing style.
May 17, 2013
The Esperanza Fire is the same high caliber that Mr. Maclean has demonstrated on his previous works! Outstanding job! I believe that being on the ground there during the trial certainly contributed to his perspective, and his ability to put it into words is second to none.
Unfortunately, we (in the wildland firefighting world) seem to not be learning from our mistakes. There are common themes in all of his books. Usually, a fatality is what it takes to change, but we don't seem to be changing.
Please keep up the great work, Mr. Maclean! I'm sure it is draining, but just know that there is at least one person who is reading and learning from what you write.
A must have book!
Unfortunately, we (in the wildland firefighting world) seem to not be learning from our mistakes. There are common themes in all of his books. Usually, a fatality is what it takes to change, but we don't seem to be changing.
Please keep up the great work, Mr. Maclean! I'm sure it is draining, but just know that there is at least one person who is reading and learning from what you write.
A must have book!
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