Retirement: Dan Cardenas, 39 Years of Fighting California Wildfires

A California Firefighter Battles His Final Wildfire Season

A Final Fiery Season

This fall, as California faced one of its most treacherous wildfire seasons ever, Capt. Dan Cardenas, 62, mustered 39 years of firefighting experience to help contain six blazes that threatened to consume the parched landscape near his home in Fremont.

Guidance In the Heat of Battle

As a fire captain, Cardenas shows younger colleagues how to preserve homes and save lives. Here, he rests a hand on crew member Collin Spencer as the two battle the Loma wildfire near Morgan Hill, Calif., on Sept. 28.

Smoke Signals

An aircraft circles a smoke column as the Loma fire burns northwest of Morgan Hill.

Help From Above

An air tanker drops fire retardant to help contain the wildfire near Morgan Hill, as it scorches its way through bone-dry brush and trees and moves toward remote California homes in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Surveying a Hellish Landscape

Firefighters ignite a backfire to stop the Loma fire from spreading.

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No Rest for the Weary

“If you are not in shape for it through the year, it maxes your body out pretty quick,” Cardenas says. “Laying that hose up and around a steep hill, you become like a mountain goat.”

Fire As Far As the Eye Can See

Cardenas warned that California’s fire season was still only about half finished. “We’ve got a dry state right now,” he said. “A lot of reservoirs are half filled. Brush, trees and conifers have been dried out. It’s not over yet. We’re waiting for Southern California to blow up.”

I wouldn t trade it for anything in the world

It’s the last wildfire season for Cardenas, who is headed into retirement. “It was a good one,” he said. “You couldn’t ask for a more action-packed fire. You couldn’t ask for a better send-off.”

A Helluva Ride

Cardenas plans to keep working part time as a consulting fire investigator. He seems reluctant to end a career that has brought satisfaction. “It’s been a helluva ride,” he said. “Every day I wake up feeling good about going back to work. I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.”

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