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Mountain Views-News Saturday November 22, 2025

BARGER RECOGNIZES TRIBAL 
FIREFIGHTERS WHO HELPED SAVE 
COMMUNITIES DURING JANUARY 
WILDFIRES

Recognition event celebrates Native American fire crews whose 
actions protected homes, residents, and shared lands.

Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians Vice President Mark Villasenor performs 
a welcome song Supervisor Kathryn Barger stands alongside honorees during recognition 
event. (Photo credit: Bryan Chan/LA County)

As Native American Heritage Month drew to a close, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors 
Chair Kathryn Barger honored the tribal nations whose fire departments stepped 
forward to help battle the Eaton and Palisades wildfires earlier this year. 

When the fires swept through communities in January, fire crews from 15 tribal nations 
traveled from across California, Oregon, and Arizona to protect lives, homes, and natural 
resources during an unprecedented and dangerous chapter in the region’s history.

“In January, tribes came to our aid in our time of need,” Supervisor Kathryn Barger said. 
“Their response reflects generosity, partnership, and a shared commitment to co-stewarding 
this land. Our Los Angeles County Fire Department relied on the incredible support 
of these tribal fire departments to provide mutual aid when it mattered most. I’m 
honored to welcome representatives from several of these tribal nations here today.”

Representatives from the Barona Band of Mission Indians, the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel 
Nation, and the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation joined Supervisor Barger in person to 
take part in the recognition ceremony. It was preceded by Fernandeño Tataviam Band of 
Mission Indians Vice President Mark Villasenor performing a short welcome song. 

Supervisor Barger presented commemorative scrolls to the tribal leaders and fire officials 
as symbols of appreciation and as commitments to continued partnership.

Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone also spoke, reflecting on the magnitude 
of the firefight. “It is my honor to recognize the service and courage of the firefighters 
from these tribal nations,” Chief Marrone said. “I extend my deepest gratitude to their 
governments for supporting us as we battled these unprecedented wildfires. Never in 
my 39 years of service have I seen fire behavior like what we experienced. As we move 
forward, we will continue learning and adapting, including incorporating the fire management 
practices long used by Native American tribes to promote resilience across our 
landscapes. On behalf of the Los Angeles County Fire Department, thank you for standing 
shoulder to shoulder with us to save lives and protect our communities.”

Fire Chief Keith Alexander of the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation expressed deep appreciation 
for the recognition. “On behalf of the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation and 
San Manuel Fire Department, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Supervisor Barger and 
the entire Board of Supervisors for recognition of our efforts,” he said. “Your acknowledgement 
not only honors the bravery of our personnel, but also uplifts the spirit of our 
nation. We are proud to stand alongside the Los Angeles County Fire Department to 
protect lives and the land that we all cherish.”

The fifteen tribal nations that contributed mutual aid during the Los Angeles wildfires 
included the Barona Band of Mission Indians, Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians, 
Klamath Tribes, Morongo Band of Mission Indians, Navajo Nation, Pala Band of 
Mission Indians, Pechanga Band of Indians, Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians, Santa Ynez 
Band of Chumash Indians, Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians, Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk 
Indians, Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, Yuhaaviatam of 
San Manuel Nation, and the Yurok Tribe.

Leaders from the Los Angeles City/County Native American Indian Commission were 
also present, including Chair Shawn Imitates Dog, Vice Chair Mark Villaseñor, Commissioners 
Dr. Andrea Garcia, Vivian Garcia, John Only A Chief, and Rich Toyon, and 
Executive Director Alexandra Valdes. 

Each year, the Los Angeles City/County Native American Indian Commission selects a 
theme for Native American Heritage Month. This year’s theme is Firekeepers: Honoring 
Tribal Firefighters, Indigenous Stewardship, and Future Ancestors. “I cannot think of a 
more fitting theme to acknowledge all Los Angeles County has endured and overcome in 
2025,” said Supervisor Barger.

REMEMBRANCE

Prominent Civic Leader Edgar Bourne, Jr. 

A lifetime Monrovia/Duarte resident 
passed suddenly last month. 
Edgar Bourne, Jr. was a successful 
entrepreneur and family man who 
accomplished much for our region 
but had so much more scheduled. 
He had been contracted to help rebuild 
several homes and businesses 
that were destroyed and damaged 
by the Eaton and Pacific Palisades 
Altadena wildfires.

Bourne Construction, Inc. is a 
state licensed general contractor/
developer with 45 years of professional 
experience. Edgar’s inventory 
of custom designed single family, 
multiple family homes, apartment 
and condominium complexes and 
townhouses are located throughout 
Southern California. Not limited to 
Monrovia and Duarte, he provided 
housing solutions, urban in-fill 
abodes that foster ideal community living and home ownership, as well as retail and industrial 
developments for many. He was engaged by various cities and had a stellar reputation for delivering 
high quality and cost effective edifices. 

Edgar attended Monrovia’s public elementary, both Clifton and Santa Fe Middle schools and 
graduated from Monrovia High in 1975. In middle school, he met the love of his life, Sondra. 
They became friends, later married, had a son, and two daughters, and three grandchildren. 
The Bournes have been a hardworking, productive family for 44 years.

After high school, Edgar worked for a local Mobile gas station and at Disneyland in Anaheim. 
He was then employed by Southern California Gas Company and had a 39-year career before 
retiring in 2018.

Monrovia Mayor Becky Shevlin said, “We acknowledge and honor Edgar’s longtime roots in 
the Monrovia Community and we are tremendously grateful for his many contributions in 
building, renovating and beautifying homes in Monrovia and the surrounding areas.” Filippo 
Fanara, owner of CIBA Real Estate, commented, “Edgar was one of the better men along this 
journey. He was not afraid to roll up his sleeves and quietly lead the way.”

“The City of Monrovia, Duarte and the entire San Gabriel Valley lost an amazing leader and 
trailblazer in the housing construction business. Edgar Bourne, Jr. had a stellar reputation for 
delivering high quality and cost-effective homes all the while providing jobs to our communities. 
He will be greatly missed,” said former California State Assemblymember Chris Holden. 

Services were held on Friday, Dec 5 at First Presbyterian Church, Monrovia


PROPOSAL TO PLACE DOWNTOWN MONROVIA 
ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES 
ADVANCES

On December 2, the Monrovia Historic Preservation Group (MOHPG) presented their efforts 
to place Downtown Monrovia (Old Town), Myrtle Avenue from Palm to Olive and the surrounding 
blocks, on the National Register of Historic Places. The effort highlights Old Town's 
long-standing role as the heart of the community and aims to formally recognize its architectural 
and cultural significance.

If awarded, the designation could open the door to federal and state preservation incentives, 
including grants and tax credits for qualifying rehabilitation work. It would also add Old Town 
Monrovia to a national archival database and allow the community to celebrate the designation 
with an official plaque.

A National Register listing does not impose new restrictions on private property owners. It 
does not limit how owners may use, develop, modify, or even sell their buildings unless federal 
funding or permits are involved. Zoning rules and regulations remain the same with or without 
the listing and designation.


Members of the Yurok Nation fire department stand in front of a Yurok firefighting vehicle as they 
prepared to deploy to the Los Angeles region (Photo credit: Yurok Nation)

ARCADIA ASSISTEENS DONATE FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS TO 
LOCAL PROGRAM

In November, ,the Arcadia Assisteens 
donated $5,000 in 
Vons gift cards to the California 
Thoroughbred Horsemen’s 
Foundation, in support of the 
backstretch/back of the track 
workers at Santa Anita Park race 
track. As part of their philanthropic 
programs, the Arcadia 
Assistance League and Assisteens 
have donated time, clothing, 
and money to the backstretch 
program for many years.

About Assistance League of 
Arcadia

Serving the communities of Arcadia, 
Alhambra, Duarte, Monrovia, 
Rosemead, San Gabriel, 
and Temple City, Assistance 
League of Arcadia transforms 
lives and strengthens our community, 
through community-
based programs. For more information, 
please visit www.
alarcadia.org or follow us on 
Facebook and Instagram.


Pictured Above: (l to r) Angela Valverde - California Thoroughbred Horsemen’s 
Foundation, Aracely Cedeno - California Thoroughbred Horsemen’s 
Foundation, Chloe Nguyen - Arcadia Assisteens, Chair 2025-26 Cristina 
Halstead - Arcadia Assisteens, Coordinator, Ann Sotowa, Arcadia Assistance 
League, President 

Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com