UPI

LOS ANGELES - Emergency services personnel paid respects Friday to one of two Los Angeles County firefighters who died battling the Station Fire this week.

The procession for firefighter Ted Hall traveled from North Hollywood to Victor, Calif., passing by sheriff's deputies, groups of firefighters and a prison crew -- most of whom stood at attention, removed their hats and saluted as the vehicles moved along the 210 Freeway, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Hall and Arnie Qinones died Sunday as they battled the blaze that has grown to be the largest ever in the history of the county. So far the wildfire has consumed more than 148,000 acres and destroyed dozens of structures. Officials said the fire, which they said was deliberately set, was 42 percent contained early Friday.

"We're all trying to cope," Mike Bryant, a fire incident commander, said, adding the message of the service was: "Let's put out this fire out in the memory of our brothers."

Meanwhile, fire officials said the main areas of concern were the fire's eastern edge in the San Gabriel Wilderness and the western side in the Pacoima Canyon area.

Mike Dietrich, another incident commander, said crews had a difficult go battling the flames in the Pacoima Canyon because of 20-foot-high brush and steep terrain.

Dietrich said the fire was spreading into the San Gabriel Wilderness to the east, but remained above several communities.

Overall, Dietrich said "we can see the corner, we'll be turning it shortly."

State officials Friday announced Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has directed "every possible resource" to help firefighters and victims, the governor's office said.

"California stands ready to provide (victims) with all the assistance they need to recover, rebuild and get their lives back on track," said Matthew Bettenhausen, California Emergency Management Agency's acting secretary.

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September 4, 2009