'Firefighter Joe' Treks Thru Pass Area To Honor Fallen Hotshots

CABAZON, CA — Clad in 40 pounds of gear, a Southland firefighter is making his way across the California desert, and into Arizona, in memory of the 19 fallen Granite Mountain Hotshots. Jose Zambrano, known as "Firefighter Joe," plans to arrive in Yarnell, Arizona on June 30 to mark the fifth anniversary of the mens' tragic deaths.

"This is not for me," Zambrono said. "This is for the ... Granite Mountain Hotshots and for their families. We want them to know that we will never forget their brave sacrifice."

Firefighter Joe's 360-mile journey started Saturday at the Los Angeles County Fire Museum and on Monday took him through Morongo and Cabazon.

The 47-year-old man had arrived at the Morongo Fire Department on Sunday "where he received a hero’s welcome at the Morongo Fire Department with a hot meal, a place to sleep and the admiration of the Morongo firefighters," officials with the Morongo Indian Reservation told Patch.

Morongo Tribal Chairman Robert Martin said the tribe was "deeply honored" to host Zambrano.

The Corona resident, who has run marathons in full turnouts, plans to travel between 10 and 12 per day as he heads east. And as he walked through parts of Cabazon on Monday, he was flanked by up to eight local firefighters at a time.

Area residents even joined in for part of the journey.

"Fireman Joe is an incredible guy, and we feel privileged to have played some small role in helping him on his epic run," said Morongo Fire Chief Kevin Gaines.

Zambrano is not only traveling with his gear, but carrying 19 flags with him as well. He plans to lay them at the hotshots' memorial when he arrives in Arizona.

He said he was inspired to travel in the hot summer heat after getting close to the family of one of the fallen firefighters, Kevin J. Woyjeck. Woyjeck was just 21.

As part of his run, Zambrano is also raising funds for the Kevin Woyjeck Explorers for Life Association, a non-profit organization started by Woyjeck’s family, and friends to honor Kevin and carry on his legacy. The foundation assists young men and women in Fire Explorer Programs with financial support and material donations.

“The emotion carries me,” Zambrano said of the run. “When you’re out there running, it’s just your thoughts and your conversations with the All Mighty. That’s what carries you. I hope that this inspires others, and reminds people of the 19 brothers we lost.”

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Main image courtesy: Morongo Band Of Mission Indians