Local Man Blazes a Trail to Firefighter of the Year Award

This year, the Six Rivers National Forest announced SoHum native Zach Fansler as the 2023 Firefighter of the Year and recipient of the Dale A. Mendes Award. Fansler, a Senior Firefighter for the Ukonom Hand Crew based out of the Salyer Station on the Lower Trinity Ranger District, is “known for his strong work ethic, dedication to caring for the land and serving people, and having integrity in all he does,” according to a press release issued by Six Rivers. Redheaded Blackbelt has had the privilege of following Zach Fansler’s journey as a firefighter since we first discovered his photographs of the work he does in July of 2018.

Entering his fourth year on the hand crew for Six Rivers, Fansler has served as a primary sawyer throughout his tenure there. According to Six Rivers NF, Zach “continually invests his time and energy into those around him by supporting and mentoring his fellow firefighters, regardless of their position or module. His commitment to duty, respect, integrity, and leadership are evident in the great work he does for his district, the Six Rivers National Forest, and the agency as a whole.”

“Zach’s motivation and passion are truly infectious. His actions, attitude, and work ethic have become an example of what right looks like for our employees,” said Bryan Lanning, District Fire Management Officer for the Lower Trinity Ranger District. “His willingness to be a leader and help the future of our agency is a great representation of not only himself but the crew, the Six Rivers National Forest, and our agency.”

Zach, who most recently was on a fire in Moab, Utah, told us that he gave credit to Southern Humboldt’s Briceland Fire for beginning his career in firefighting and particularly credited another of Humboldt County’s most respected firefighters, Diana Totten. He said her stories “made me apply to the forest service, and started my fire career in the FS on Klamath hotshots and now a permanent employee as a lead on Ukonom.”

The Dale A. Mendes Award honors employees who consistently demonstrate the values that define a firefighting professional, including superior quality of work, outstanding work ethic, individual improvement, physical fitness, and leadership ability. These characteristics were epitomized by Dale A. Mendes during his service with the Six Rivers National Forest, and the award is a tribute to his legacy.

“I’m very happy for Zach receiving his Dale A. Mendes Firefighter of the Year Award,” Yurok Fire Chief Rod Mendes explained to us. “As Dale’s father, I’m so proud of my son and his accomplishments and what he brought to the Six Rivers National Forest. I am even prouder of this award in his honor and the thoughtfulness of the Six Rivers staff. My heart breaks every time I think about Dale, and I miss him dearly. To know the impact he had on his coworkers and the fire community, having this award shows the kind of man and firefighter he was and is through this perpetual award.”

As we celebrate Zach Fansler’s achievements and honor Dale Mendes’ legacy, let’s  appreciate the bravery and community spirit that define these Humboldt heroes.

For more about Zach Fansler’s firefighting journey and to see his inspiring photos of the work he and his fellow firefighters do, you can revisit our earlier coverage here:

• Klamathon Fire, July 2018
• McFarland Fire, August 2021
• At Home in Humboldt, January 2022
• Six Rivers Lightning Complex, September 2022