Bodega Fire
Huge thanks go out to the Bodega Volunteer Fire Department for their magnificent efforts helping to contain the grass fire near the town of Bodega on the afternoon of Saturday, September 25. Many departments from around Northern California answered the call, as well, including inmate crews. Together, these heroes prevented the loss of a great deal of property and probably saved a life or two.


Our thoughts are with Firefighter Ben Hakala, a close friend of mine who was seriously injured battling the blaze. Last I heard, he was in critical but stable condition and telling people not to worry, because he was "One tough bugger." That you are, Ben me lad, that you are. Investigators now blame the fire on the very downed power line that took Ben down with it.


If you want to send donations or letters of support to either Ben or the BVFD, you can drop them at the station or mail them in: Bodega Volunteer Fire Department, 17184 Bodega Hwy/PO Box 28, Bodega CA 94922. Make sure to denote where you want your donations to go—Ben Hakala; General Operations; Building Fund; Other—and thank you in advance for supporting our wonderful volunteers, who literally put their lives on the line to protect us, our families and our homes.


Bodega Fire Photos from the Press Democrat

Bringing you the best in the west
West County Wire
Over and out