Tree Maintenance Supervisor

Department of Transportation

7/29/2018

Special Act Award (Gold)

On July 29, 2018, at 4:00 p.m., California Department of Transportation Tree Maintenance Supervisor Michael (Mike) Quinliven was working on Highway 20 in Mendocino County when the Ranch Fire began to pick up momentum. This fire was part of the Mendocino Complex fire, the largest reported fire complex in California history. The Ranch Fire burned over 400,000 acres, killing one firefighter, and injuring three people over more than a month. As Mr. Quinliven arrived at the scene of the fire, he quickly realized that the fire had potential to jump the highway and begin burring on both sides. The smoke was so thick that Mr. Quinliven drove out approximately two miles to contact a California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer, who called in the fire. Mr. Quinliven asked CHP to close the road because he could not see, and the roads were no longer safe. Suddenly, on his way back into the active fire and as he was cresting the hill, he saw a large column of smoke and he immediately knew that the fire had jumped the highway and began burning on both sides of the road. Mr. Quinliven made the decision to remain in the area, until CHP arrived, to ensure that all vehicles driving through got out of the fire safely. As traffic was backed up heading westbound, Mr. Quinliven took to the east bound number one lane with his emergency lights on and drove right into the fire. He guided a tanker truck carrying gasoline out of the flames due to his concern about the possibility of an explosion. Then, Mr. Quinliven found Ms. Newman and her kids. The Newman family was pulled over in a turn out, trapped by the flames and thick smoke. Suddenly, terror set in on Ms. Newman. Then, out of nowhere, there was tapping on Ms. Newman’s vehicle window. It was Mr. Quinliven who immediately offered assistance. Outside of his truck, he felt the raging heat from the fire and realized the true intensity of the flames. Shielding his head and face with only his hardhat and his arms, he was able to knock on the Ms. Newman’s vehicle window and advised the mother and her three children to follow him. With near zero visibility, using only the center double yellow lines for guidance, he drove in front of the vehicle and guided them through the smoke and fire to safety. Once the tanker truck and vehicle were safely out, Mr. Quinliven remained in the area to assist law enforcement with evacuating approximately one mile of traffic. With no regard for his own safety, Mr. Quinliven went above and beyond the call of duty. The State of California takes great pride in presenting this Gold Medal of Valor to California Department of Transportation Tree Maintenance Supervisor Michael Quinliven.