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Harold Jesse Griffis

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Harold Jesse Griffis

Birth	:	18 Apr 1916 Nebraska, USA
Death	:	9 Jul 1953
Burial	:	Willows Cemetery, Willows, Glenn County, USA
Coordinate	:	39.5240900, -122.1848800
Description	:	On July 9, 1953, an arson started brush fire was reported in Grindstone Canyon several miles northwest of Elk Creek on the Mendocino National Forest. As the fire raged out of control, the Forest Service requested volunteers from the New Tribes Mission that was located about 25 miles south of the fire to help. That evening, the main fire was contained and 24 men were sent down into the canyon to put out a spot fire. After this was accomplished, the crew sat down to eat their supper. They had just begun to eat when the wind shifted direction... Read More	On July 9, 1953, an arson started brush fire was reported in Grindstone Canyon several miles northwest of Elk Creek on the Mendocino National Forest. As the fire raged out of control, the Forest Service requested volunteers from the New Tribes Mission that was located about 25 miles south of the fire to help. That evening, the main fire was contained and 24 men were sent down into the canyon to put out a spot fire. After this was accomplished, the crew sat down to eat their supper. They had just begun to eat when the wind shifted direction and the original fire jumped its line and started down the canyon. One of the firefighters from above ran down to warn the crew to get out of the canyon. Nine of the men scrambled up the hill to the firefighter who was warning them and made it to safety. The other 15 men tried to run down the canyon to a road below, but were overtaken by the rapidly moving fire. Fourteen firefighters from the New Tribes Mission and one Forest Service employee from the Mendocino National Forest lost their lives making it one of the deadliest in Forest Service history. The brush fire burned over 1300 acres before being brought under control on July 11, 1953. Harold Griffis was one of the 14 from New Tribes Mission, leaving behind a wife and 7 children. Response to the tragedy led to changes in wildland fire training, firefighter safety standards, firefighter knowledge and awareness of fire weather and fire behavior. The Rattlesnake Fire is reviewed every year by wildland firefighters across the nation in basic firefighting training and fire refresher training as part of "Lessons Learned". In 1993 the Mendocino National Forest commemorated the 40th anniversary of the Fire with a memorial service at the Grindstone Overlook on Forest Highway 7. A large boulder bearing a plaque with the names of the fallen firefighters was dedicated. A kiosk there states that the tragic loss on the Rattlesnake Fire spurred the Forest Service to increase firefighter training and research on fire hazard management. A ceremony, held July 9, 2005, dedicated a new interpretive and training site that overlooks the location of the fire in Grindstone Canyon, along the old Alder Springs Road. The Rattlesnake Fire Overlook features exhibits describing the events of the fire and lessons learned from the tragedy. Nearby there is a new parking area leading to a trail that travels the routes taken by the firefighters who died and those who survived.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Harold Jesse Griffis's memorial?
Harold Jesse Griffis's memorial is located at: Willows Cemetery, Willows, Glenn County, USA.
When did Harold Jesse Griffis death?
Harold Jesse Griffis death on 9 Jul 1953 in
Where are the coordinates of the Harold Jesse Griffis's memorial?
Latitude: 39.5240900
Longitude: -122.1848800

Family Members:

Parent

Jesse Edgar Griffis

(1886 - 1971)

Lydia Emma Brady Griffis

(1892 - 1955)

Spouse

Jenny Ethel Johnston Denny

(1920 - 2006)

Siblings

Children

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Willows Cemetery
Willows, Glenn County, USA
Coordinate: 39.5240900, -122.1848800

2. Artois Cemetery
Artois, Glenn County, USA
Coordinate: 39.6380997, -122.1594009

3. Nye Cemetery
Glenn County, USA
Coordinate: 39.5826470, -122.3905290

4. Princeton Cemetery
Princeton, Colusa County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4066170, -122.0170350

5. Orland IOOF Cemetery
Orland, Glenn County, USA
Coordinate: 39.7026000, -122.1401000

6. Butte City Cemetery
Butte City, Glenn County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4575005, -121.9653015

7. Orland Catholic Cemetery
Orland, Glenn County, USA
Coordinate: 39.7030983, -122.1393967

8. Martin Family Cemetery
Artois, Glenn County, USA
Coordinate: 39.6087220, -121.9547550

9. Marvin Chapel Cemetery
Afton, Glenn County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4199982, -121.9666977

10. Monroeville Cemetery
Butte City, Glenn County, USA
Coordinate: 39.6747760, -122.0002560

11. Orland Masonic Cemetery
Orland, Glenn County, USA
Coordinate: 39.7684760, -122.1943310

12. Maxwell Cemetery
Maxwell, Colusa County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2769012, -122.2080994

13. Sites Cemetery
Sites, Colusa County, USA
Coordinate: 39.3094890, -122.3472260

14. Mound Cemetery
Butte County, USA
Coordinate: 39.5026460, -121.8605080

15. Pryor Grave
Colusa County, USA
Coordinate: 39.3335991, -122.4141998

16. Graves Cemetery
Orland, Glenn County, USA
Coordinate: 39.7827988, -122.2930984

17. Dayton Cemetery
Dayton, Butte County, USA
Coordinate: 39.6520004, -121.8679962

18. Mathis Ranch Cemetery
Maxwell, Colusa County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2474800, -122.2588500

19. Elk Creek Cemetery
Elk Creek, Glenn County, USA
Coordinate: 39.5916370, -122.5410110

20. Bragg Cemetery
Nord, Butte County, USA
Coordinate: 39.7750980, -121.9568170

21. Grindstone Cemetery
Glenn County, USA
Coordinate: 39.6808014, -122.5330963

22. Nelson Cemetery
Nelson, Butte County, USA
Coordinate: 39.5571410, -121.7694570

23. Cypress Hill Cemetery
Lodoga, Colusa County, USA
Coordinate: 39.3046740, -122.4934330

24. Mechoopda Indian Cemetery
Chico, Butte County, USA
Coordinate: 39.7328930, -121.8558910