WINEMA HOTSHOTS

The Winema IHC traces its roots to the Star Suppression Crew, which was formed on the Rogue River National Forest in 1962.

The name of the crew was changed to the Rogue River Roughriders Inter-regional (IR) Crew in 1970. The national reorganization to Interagency Hotshot Crews caused another name change � to the Prospect IHC in 1980.

In 1982, the crew moved over the mountain to the Winema National Forest and has been based in Klamath Falls ever since.

The crew works out of the Klamath Ranger District, and the season begins in the middle of April. When not on fire assignments, Winema IHC is heavily involved in prescribed fire operations throughout the spring burning season.

Where did the name Winema come from?

The Winema is named for a woman of the Modoc Tribe; she was born about 1840. As a youngster, Winema was called Nonooktowa, "the strange child," because she had no fear of man or beast. Winema married a Kentucky miner named Frank Riddle, played a key role in the Modoc War, and died on the Modoc reservation at age 84. There's a brief history online.

For more interesting background on Oregon place names, try the History of Oregon Names page.

There's a site on the Applegate Trail online, and the Southern Oregon Historical Society is also online, at www.sohs.org

Also check out the Winema National Forest official site and the Winema IHC official site. The GORP page on the Winema NF has lots of recreation information.

Please email us if you have information or photos to add to this page.