Montecito Firefighters establish fund to assist families of the firefighters who perished in the Arizona Wildfire, June 30, 2013

MONTECITO, CA - July 1, 2013 - The devastating loss of nineteen lives in the Arizona wildfire on June 30, 2013 has not only affected the fire service overall, but one of our own Montecito Fire families. One of the crew members lost was the nephew of our Operations Chief, Terry McElwee; and the grandson of former Fire Chief Herb McElwee.

We send our heart-felt condolences to all the families who lost loved ones in this tragedy.

The Montecito Firefighter's Charitable Foundation (a non-profit organization) is establishing a fund to assist the families of the Granite Mountain Interagency Hot Shots.

To make a donation:

• Make checks out to the "Montecito Firefighter's Charitable Foundation"

• The Tax I.D. number is: 20817396

• In the "memo" please reference "Nineteen Lost"

• Submit donations by mail to: Montecito Firefighter's Charitable Foundation, PO Box 5881, Montecito, CA 93150

• Submit donations in person to: Montecito Fire Station 1: 595 San Ysidro Rd.

We will also be accepting donations at the 4th of July Pancake Breakfast.