Firefighters

Firefighters have a blaze that consumed 1,100 acres of brush over four days in the Verdugo Mountains, but not without some help from local businesses and nonprofits, who were called upon to help authorities as they worked around the clock fighting fire. "They're supplying food, sandwiches, anything we need all over the place," said Kirk Wishart, an engineer with Burbank Fire, adding that Wienerschnitzel even hauled a trailer to a firefighter camp to feed personnel.

Usually in a class of firefighters, some are bound not to make it through the grueling, yearlong training. But not this time. Newport Beach firefighters welcomed all eight recruits into their ranks on Thursday at a special ceremony. “It was a tough process but you pull together and do what you’ve got to do,” firefighter Ryan O’Leary said. “There were times when you get a little discouraged, but you see the light at the end of the tunnel and know your hard work paid off.” O’Leary, 23, a Mission Viejo resident, studied firefighting at Santa Ana College, studied emergency medical training at Saddleback College and worked as an ambulance operator for Huntington Beach.

Marisa O'Neil Usually when firefighters and paramedics get a call, it means someone's hurt or injured and needs help. But on Sunday morning, Newport Beach firefighters faced probably the best-case scenario they could hope for when a baby just couldn't wait to show her face. In fact, the baby was so impatient, she came before paramedics made it to the scene, meaning the firefighters had to deliver the baby themselves. "It was the day after Christmas," said firefighter Jason Leftige, who helped deliver the baby.

BRYCE ALDERTON Part of the intrigue of golf is stepping onto the tee at a course you've never played before. You don't know what to expect, making each shot a new adventure in itself. One of the pluses of writing about golf is receiving invitations in the mail to play in charity golf tournaments. Most are held on Mondays, perfect since it's one of my days off. In June I had the opportunity to play in a Monday tournament at the Navy Golf Course in Seal Beach.

Marisa O'Neil Friends, family, firefighting and faith all played important roles in Capt. Al Schmehl's life. All of these roles were well represented Saturday at Mariner's Church in Irvine where more than one hundred area firefighters, along with friends and his fellow parishioners from New Harvest Community Church came together to honor Schmehl. The 29-year veteran of the Newport Beach Fire Department, died Aug. 27 after a seven-year battle with brain cancer.

Deepa Bharath Alan Schmehl never went half way. When he took up a project, he always completed it and gave it everything he had. That's how Newport Beach Fire Capt. Rich Thomas remembers his former colleague and fire captain, who died Wednesday after a long and arduous battle with a rare form of brain cancer. Schmehl, 52, had served the fire department for 29 years. He was diagnosed with the cancer in 1995 after he collapsed on the job. His cancer was the result of continuous exposure to toxic substances on the job, Newport Beach Fire Chief Tim Riley said.

Lindsay Sandham Firefighters from the Costa Mesa Fire Department responded to a blaze that engulfed a wood structure in less than five minutes at 2:31 p.m. Sunday. This wasn't a five-alarm fire and no one was injured -- in fact the fire was intentionally started by the fire department as part of the city of Costa Mesa's 11th annual Public Safety Expo held at the Placentia Fire Station. The structure-fire demonstration was one of many live exhibits designed to teach the public about the duties of firefighters and police officers, as well as give the public an opportunity to see the equipment purchased with tax dollars and to ask questions.

COSTA MESA - Off-duty Newport Beach Battalion Chief Todd Knipp was waiting for his son in an orthodontist's office when someone burst in and said a tree fell on a car across the corner. Knipp told those around him to call 911 and raced downstairs to the scene at 17th Street and Irvine Avenue. "First thing I did was check to see if there was immediately a problem with the driver and then check to see how many victims or patients we'd have in the car," Knipp said. "My first thought was given the time of day and location that I was just praying there wasn't any kids in the car. " There were no children inside the blue 2002 Hyundai.

Shirley Van Pelt is doing her part to say thanks to local firefighters who recently fought the blazes that overwhelmed Southern California. She and her friends contributed funds to purchase gift cards for firefighters at Balboa Island through Mariner’s Church. The church is accepting donations of $50 to purchase the gift cards that will send firefighters to a free dinner at local restaurants. The church is encouraging the local community to come together to show support and thanks.

James Meier COSTA MESA -- Shirley Wyman celebrated the Fourth of July on Thursday evening with family and friends in the front yard of the Westside house she's lived in for more than 20 years. It was still a bit early for fireworks as the sun had yet to set, but that didn't stop several festive residents near Linden Place. Just before 7:25 p.m. Thursday, a fire ignited on the lower brush filled hillside behind Wyman's home, interrupting the festivities.