Inland Empire Community Newspapers • March 21, 2013 • Page A23 Firefighters, Redlands community remember Esperanza Fire tragedy at book reading By Yazmin Alvarez E ven though years have passed since the deadly Esperanza Fire, the mem- ory of the devastating blaze re- mains clear for several area firefighters and residents. As some continue the ongoing fight to rebuild their lives from the aftermath of the Oct. 2006 blaze, many are still left with unanswered questions. In hopes of finding answers, nearly 100 area residents and firefighters gathered at Barnes and Noble in Redlands March 12 to hear ac- counts documented in Author John Maclean’s newly released book, ‘The Esperanza Fire: Arson, Murder and Agony of En- gine 57.’ The book tells the story of the fatal Esperanza Fire from the per- spective of firefighters who bat- tled the blaze. It includes interviews from firefighters who survived the fire, the families of those who were killed, and law enforcement officers, jurors and prosecutors involved in the inves- tigation and trial, Maclean said. For Devon Lariviere, a River- side County Cal Fire firefighter with the San Bernardino Unit, Tuesday’s book release offered an opportunity to help fill the missing pieces to the puzzle he’s been trying to put together for the last several years. “I just want to get an under- standing of what happened that day,” Lariviere said. “I’ve heard so many stories, but now I want to get it from those that were out there that day.” The Espernaza Fire was fatal to Engine Co 57, a five-man U.S. Forest Service crew. The men lost their lives while attempting to protect a home from wind-driven flames in the San Jacinto Moun- tain-area above the Banning Pass. The burnover trapped hundreds of residents and more than 40,000 acres and dozens of homes were burned. Killed in the blaze were Capt. Mark Loutzenhiser, 44, of Idyll- wild and firefighters Jess McLean, 27, of Beaumont, Jason McKay, 27,of Phelan, Pablo Cerda, 23, of Fountain Valley and Daniel Hoover-Najera, 20, of San Jacinto. Lariviere and Najera were best friends. He said the last memory he has of him is in a voicemail he wishes he wouldn’t have deleted. “I missed his call,” he said about Najera. “He was just call- ing to see how things were going. Then a day later, the fire hap- pened. Days like this are when I wish I had saved the message.” Maclean said the book is not meant to give closure, but instead answer the questions raised by many over the years. He said he writes these accounts because they have a direct effect on peo- ple. “These stories are something bigger than what I am, and that keeps me going,” Maclean said. “I’m filling a very responsible position here. People want to know the real story. That drives me to write these narratives. They’re even used learning tools.” Redlands Fire Chief Jeff Frazier was among those who attended Tuesday’s event and purchased Maclean’s book as a learning tool for the fire department. “I’m blessed to have the fire- fighters I have,” he said. “I have a lot of genuine respect and con- cern for them. I’m hoping they use the books to recognize the different patterns involved in fires. If they do, it will have served its purpose.” The Esperanza Fire marked the first time an entire engine crew was killed by fire and the first time an arsonist was successfully prosecuted for murder for setting a wildland fire, Maclean said. “This book is about two sto- ries—the story of the fire and the story of Raymond Oyler, the man who started the fire. I’ve never had anything so complete before and it’s not over. It never will be for those who survived.” Vivian Najera, Redlands resi- dent and aunt of Daniel Najera, said she attended the book release to represent Daniel’s legacy. She added that Maclean’s words have helped her to rebuild her life after losing her nephew. “He’s right. It’s never closure,” Vivian said. “But it does take me one step closer toward peace—a step closer to acceptance.” Redland’s Barnes and Noble will offer a percentage of the pro- ceeds made from Macleans’s book sales to the Public Safety PHOTO/YAZMIN ALVAREZ Devon Lariviere, a Riverside County Cal Fire firefighter, skims through pages of Author John Maclean’s newly released book, The Esperanza Fire: Arson, Murder and Agony of Engine 57, at Barnes & Noble in Redlands March 12. Lariviere is hoping to gain an understanding behind the 2006 blaze that killed his best friend and U.S. Forest Service firefighter, Daniel Hoover-Najera. PHOTO/YAZMIN ALVAREZ Redlands Fire Chief Jeff Frazier (left) was among those who at- tended Tuesday’s book signing and fundraising event at Barnes and Noble in Redlands March 12. Frazier purchased a copy of The Esperanza Fire: Arson, Murder and Agony of Engine 57, by John Maclean, as a learning tool for the fire department.