Gregory Pacheco, a 20-year old firefighter from New Mexico, was
killed on Palomar Mountain during the
October 1999 forest fire.
Through the efforts of many appreciative people, a memorial to him
was dedicated on August 26, 2000, on the East Grade Road on Palomar
Mountain overlooking the La Jolla Indian Reservation.
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Your Editor -- Mike Pique, San Diego, California
The memorial, designed by Bob Hayward to represent the pueblo style and bearing a bronze plaque, resulted from the collective efforts of the La Jolla Reservation and its fire department, the Palomar Mountain Volunteer Fire Department and the U.S. Forest Service. The County of San Diego through the office of Supervisor Bill Horn provided financial support. Additional contributions came from the Palomar and La Jolla Reservation communities, as well as from fire departments throughout the area.
Pacheco, a member of the Panesco #5 Handcrew from Picuris Pueblo, New Mexico, was killed when he was struck by a falling boulder Oct. 5, 1999, as he was constructing a fire line. The seven-day fire started near State Highway 76 and burned nearly 8,000 acres on the southeast flank of Palomar Mountain. Pacheco was one of hundreds of firefighters from California and around the country who fought the blaze.
Dedication ceremonies on August 26 began with a mass at 10 a.m. at
the La Jolla Reservation Tribal Hall on Sengme Oaks Road of Highway 76.
The observance continued at 11:30 a.m. at the memorial site near Mile
Marker 9.5 on S-7 (East Grade Road) on Palomar Mountain. In addition to
the Pacheco family, La Jolla Reservation and Palomar community residents,
area fire departments, the Forest Service and representatives of other
agencies participated.
The color guard, and dedicatory addresses to the family and guests.
View of memorial from La Jolla Indian Reservation
Bob Thunder Hayward, Freddy Perez, Alexando Montillo, Guermo Montillo, Romero Montillo, Ibn Edwards Graphics, Clifford Diaz, Albert W. Garlow, Mrs Carol C. Oester, Guy B. Marguand, Melissa R. Mering, Marilyn B. Campbell, Mirimar Fire Fighters, Elmer J. Anderson, Pauma Band of Kumeyaay Indians, Barona Fire Department, Glenn J. French, Anthony Ravego Sr., Booze Figheters, Toy Run 11/99, Pala Fire Department, Soboba Band of Indians, Hawthorne Equipment, Mesa Grande Fire Department, Mesa Grande Band of Mission Indians, AFECO Inc. DBA Fire Etc., Los Coyotes Band of Mission Indians, San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians, San Diego County Supervisor Bill Horn, A Graphic Edge (Bobby Beam, CFO), Bill Macomber County of San Diego Roads Department, David Toth County of San Diego Roads Department, Harold T-Bone Jones County of San Diego Roads Department, Bob Fuller County of San Diego Traffic Engineering, Maria Rubio-Lopez County of San Diego Traffic Engineering, Torrez Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians, Joe's Paving, Mike McDonald, Western Heavy Equipment, J.B. Trucking, Kurt L. Roberts, Dale Hamilton, Stanley Robirds, John C. Ljubenkov, Dorothy B. Kline, San Diego County Probation Department, Puerta La Cruz Crew 3, Bureau of Indian Affairs, La Jolla Band of Mission Indians, Sycuan Band of Kumeyaay Indians, Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, Pechanga Band of Mission Indians, McArthur Rental, Pala Band of Mission Indians, Reservation Fire District, Palomar Engine Crew, Cleveland National Forest, Express Yourself Florist