Tribes, firefighters cooperate to save sacred sites

By Jonathan Abrams

They were bleary-eyed from lack of sleep as they converged high in the San Bernardino Mountains at twilight.

While two lightning-ignited fires barreled toward Big Bear Lake last summer, the fire marshal and the Indian tribe member discussed their options on how to preserve ancient artifacts and still protect the community.

"We got knowledge there were 'dozer lines that went through and uncovered an archeological site," said James Ramos, cultural resource coordinator for the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. "It's real important to preserve the culture because it's really part of the history of the whole area."

The early-morning meeting with San Bernardino County Fire Marshal Peter Brierty is emblematic of a burgeoning relationship between firefighters and Indian tribes, whose ancient burial grounds and ceremonial sites are often on land prone to wildfire.

In the past, tribal representatives were left in the dark about firefighting operations and fire officials had little clue of the historical significance of ancient sites threatened. Firefighters have bulldozed lines through terrain, unwittingly destroying sacred Indian burial sites, ceremonial grounds and villages. Tribe members now attend fire safety classes in hopes of helping bulldozers avoid sacred sites. Fire officials and archeologists say the cooperation has allowed them to protect artifacts on almost every major wildfire in the last few years.

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