By Carol Stiffler
David Petrie, 21, a recent graduate of Engadine High School, is among a group of firefighters fighting California’s devastating Palisades wildfire. Petrie is a member of the Bully Choop Fire Crew and was dispatched to the fire on January 7.
As of Monday, the fire was only 17% contained. It has burned nearly 24,000 acres in the Santa Monica Mountains, claiming countless high-value structures and seven lives.
Petrie, the son of David Petrie and Amy Ferchak-Petrie, of Curtis, has been working 24 hours on, 12 hours off and sleeps at base camp.
“Where they go, you can’t get a dozer,” his father said. “You can’t get a truck. You can’t get a side-by-side. You can only fly there, or walk.”
Petrie said his son’s crew is tasked with intercepting the fire and preventing it from going any farther.
“It gives me goosebumps,” his dad said. “It’s on national news. Everyone is tied to their televisions, wondering what’s going to happen next. And my kid’s out there. It’s worry-full, but it’s awesome.”
The younger David Petrie sends his dad short video clips from the scene, showing airplanes dropping red fire retardant and even one video showing a fire tornado forming very nearby.
While in Engadine, Petrie played high school football and ran cross country. He joined the National Guard during his junior year of high school.
“I’m super proud of him,” his dad said.