OCFA Firefighter Dylan Van Iwaarden (hero) was released today after 114 days in the O.C. Burn Center in Santa Ana. Over 60% of his body was burned during the Silverado Fire. Van Iwaarden clung to life through 17 surgeries & a medically induced coma. He was discharged to the rehabilitation unit at UC Irvine Medical Center. Our very own KFI reporter Corbin Carson was there and Van Iwaarden said he’s still excited to get back out there and serve Orange County.
The other injured firefighter, 31-year-old Phi Le, is still recuperating, but there were no immediate details about his condition.
October 26th, the 13,400 acre Silverado fire broke out just east of Irvine due to red flag conditions and powerful Santa Ana winds. The Silverado fire forced 90,000 residents to evacuate their home and thanks to these amazing men and women - no homes were destroyed. Van Iwaarden and Le were injured while setting backfires to slow the spread of the blaze.
Southern California Edison notified California state regulators that its equipment may have been to blame for sparking the fire.
Photo Credit: Corbin Carson / KFI Reporter