The infamous Rattlesnake Fire occurred here in 1953 . One Forest Service employee and 14 volunteer firefighters perished . The circumstances of the tragedy resulted in major changes in firefighting strategy and training . The firefighters are memorialized at the Rattlesnake Fire Memorial overlooking Rattlesnake Canyon . Access to it can be found off of Forest Highway 7 on County Road 307/Alder Springs Road
Rattlesnake Fire
Rattlesnake Fire
Mendocino National Forest