Downey man helps battle state wildfires

Jason Wilcox, of Downey, is a firefighter with the U.S. Forest Service. He is pictured above a the August Complex Fire. (Courtesy photo)

DOWNEY — The orange hue and smokey air last week served as another reminder that it’s wildfire season in California.

But as ash rained down on Downey, one of its own was “fighting the dragon” and feeling the heat.

Resident Jason Wilcox spent time as a Los Angeles County Explorer while he was in high school. Shortly after graduation, he took up hiking.

Now working as a wildland firefighter for the United States Forest Service, you could say it’s the best of those two worlds.

“We primarily work in the mountains. We hike,” said Wilcox. “It’s kind of the best combination of my enjoyment of hiking, and then me doing explorers firefighting; it’s kind of putting those two combo’d together.”

But it also means that come fire season, Wilcox is pulled from his Downey home and thrust into the fire.

Wilcox left Downey on May 9, a day after his father’s birthday. He is currently helping battle the August Complex Fire – the largest fire in California history.

At the time of writing, online reports put the blaze at 817,952 acres and 30% containment.

Wilcox stays up near the fires for around six to seven months a year. He usually works 14-day assignments, however he recently did a near month shift with only two days off.

Last year – his first year – wasn’t nearly this busy.

“It was really slow; I probably got four assignments total the whole year,” said Wilcox. “Right now, I’m doing back-to- back three. It’s incredible, with the whole climate change just to see that difference.”

Fighting fires doesn’t leave too much time for other homey amenities – like regular sleep, showers, and laundry – either. He contacts his family when he can.

“I think I only showered four times this last month, maybe five possibly,” said Wilcox. “That’s just because we’re so busy…this job definitely makes you enjoy the little things, that’s for sure.”

Wilcox says that his crew helps keep morale up.

 “I really think it has to do with my engine, my crew,” said Wilcox. “I think the guys have a lot to do with that…a joke can go a long way, for sure. And it’s especially knowing your guys, your crew.”

When actively working on a fire, Wilcox says that he and other fire fighters call it “fighting the dragon.”

“Sometimes it’s so hot you have to kind of tilt your helmet, so the helmet can take the heat from it when you’re walking on a dozer line,” said Wilcox. “It’s interesting just watching the plumes of smoke build, and depending on the wind it can push them over and things like that.”

“It’s definitely intense; especially the noises I hear. You’re pretty much listening to chainsaws all the time, so it does kind of get your adrenaline going, ‘cause you’re listening to chainsaws, you’re watching the fire rip. It sounds kind of like a train rumbling towards you. The heat almost feels like it’s going to melt your skin off sometimes.”

Yet Wilcox says that the job requires him to be “calm and collected.”

“I definitely don’t actually freak out when we’re in situations where you’re toe-to-toe…I’ve been pretty close to some of them,” said Wilcox. “You definitely have to be collected.”

“I do work hand in hand with some ‘hot shots’ – those are the gentlemen that will hike for miles to deal with the fire with hand tools and no water – and watching them work, you definitely have to be calm about certain situations; you can’t freak out.”

Wilcox also credits his cool head to his captain.

“He definitely has years of experience,” said Wilcox. “I definitely trust him.”

Wilcox likely won’t be home for at least a few months, he expects.

“There’s really no estimated date; it’s looking like this year it’s going to be a longer [season],” said Wilcox. “Last year I came back late October, so I’m kind of thinking, I’m looking more towards late December.”

Still, Wilcox says that he loves his job, and he wouldn’t trade it for the world.