A combination of hurricane-force winds and electric poles start the Honda Canyon Fire on Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. In the course of events following the morning of December 20, 1977, a conflict of cultures emerged. Military commanders, fearful of the Base's cold war secrets being compromised, attempted to control the protocols and procedures of the civilian firefighters. Four fatalities and sixty-five injuries result. Almost ten thousand acres burn, resulting in significant damage to the military installation infrastructure.The fire burns out a little more than 30 hours later due to an incoming Pacific rainstorm. The Air Force…

A combination of hurricane-force winds and electric poles start the Honda Canyon Fire on Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. In the course of events following the morning of December 20, 1977, a conflict of cultures emerged. Military commanders, fearful of the Base's cold war secrets being compromised, attempted to control the protocols and procedures of the civilian firefighters. Four fatalities and sixty-five injuries result. Almost ten thousand acres burn, resulting in significant damage to the military installation infrastructure.The fire burns out a little more than 30 hours later due to an incoming Pacific rainstorm. The Air Force quickly declares it a victory; a battle won by its brave Airmen. However, those who were there will tell you a different story. Firestorm '77 recounts the confusion and chaos of December 1977 as told by those on the front lines.