It was the early part of September, 1957. I had just returned from a WESTPAC cruise aboard the USS Philippine Sea, CVS-47. VS-37 had been transferred to Los Alamitos and things were beginning to settle in to some semblance of a normal routine. It was very dry that year and fires were breaking out everywhere

We had heard through the news that a major fire was raging up in Malibu Canyon and volunteers were being sought to help fight it. I had nothing pressing at the time so I volunteered. Little did I know what I was getting myself into!

The next thing I knew, I found myself right in the middle of hell! The fire was raging totally out of control and our group was assigned to make a fire break along the upper rim of the canyon. This was an attempt to keep the fire from jumping the ridge. The heat was so intense that with out the proper protection, it would have been fatal! At that moment I was thinking, “What did I get myself into?”

For three long and arduous days, we fought the inferno from every direction. The temperatures we endured were almost unbearable! We had little sleep and just about as little food. Every time we thought we had the blaze under control, it would jump a fire break and we would have to start all over again. It seemed as though it would never end.

Finally on the fifth day we were successful in stopping the blaze from jumping the ridge. Exhausted beyond belief, we were moved to the upper part of the canyon to douse the final flames. While it was no small feat, the flames were finally put out for good. We could all now relax or so we thought. We all pulled back to the main staging area where we found hot food, cold drinks and clean clothes. It was the most welcome site I had ever seen! The lull was short lived. The fire erupted again in the upper portion of the canyon. For two more days we fought the fire at every turn. But we finally prevailed once and for all. We dragged our wear bodies back to the main camp were again there was hot food, cold drinks and clean clothes. I thought to myself, “Is this really happening because I’ve been here before?” This time there was no eruption of a new fire, just a peaceful silence.

After a short debriefing, we were all released to go back t our homes or units. When I got back to Los Al, I found orders giving me, and the others who went, 7 days “Basket” Leave. I knew what I was going to do with mine. I spent the better part of the next seven days in my bunk sleeping. I have never in my life worked as hard as I did those seven days in Malibu Canyon! That was as close to “HELL” as I ever want to be!

Joe Dunegan AE2, AC/AW