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By JOHN DIEHM
Siskiyou Daily News Staff Writer
Published: Friday, September 22, 2006
YREKA — “Out of the Fire” is an appropriate name for the autobiography of David
Hobbs, a man who spent most of his life fighting forest fires in and around Siskiyou
County and the fire of atheism before coming to God.
The book is filled with colorful experiences, giving a glimpse of his life and insight into
the adventure and risk of fire fighting. Hobbs worked for years as a crewman on a fire
fighting helicopter team and on the elite Rogue River Hotshots, articulating the
perspective of a firefighter working next to the flames.
His gift for writing keeps the reader engaged in the book that tells not only the story of
his life but also the perspective of a man in the process of change.

Hobbs said that in his high school year book he was called “the atheist.” “I had no
moral standard; I just did what felt good,” he said. “I had to learn a lot of things the
hard way.... “My experience and fires up here, and the people I met, was really life
changing,” he said....“It is amazing how many near death experiences I have had and
seen.”
“Each one of us is sent out into the world with very little instruction on how to live this
life we’ve been given. We all know people who have destroyed their lives and wasted
their potential; but how about us? How can we live our lives in such a way that when it’
s over we will look back with joy on a well-lived life, instead of in regret at a misspent
life of failure? And, unfortunately, life doesn’t come with a REWIND button.
“I found the answer to all I was looking for and more after searching for years in all the
wrong places. Though everyone must find it for themselves, it is my hope that my story
will at least steer some in the right direction, that they too may find this answer most
precious.”

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Book Review
by Todd Mercer for ForeWord CLARION Reviews
MEMOIR
Out of the Fire
David Hobbs
4 L Press

The life lessons are many, fighting blazes and wrestling internally in California’s
Klamath National Forest and later the Rogue River National Forest of Oregon. The
memoirist swoops about with cracked-cowboy helicopter pilots and comes face to
face with walls of flame, sometimes armed with no more than a shovel.
In these pages are watershed moments, results of instant decisions, uneasy bouts of
anticipation when the woods are tinderbox dry...
Out of the Fire,
Radically Changed
TESTIMONIALS
A Life
I found it fascinating…. I couldn’t
put   it down…. Your description
of fighting fires was great and
gave me a new appreciation of
what they do.”
Linda K.  Hayward CA.
“I really appreciated your total
honesty. I just enjoyed it so
much… it's incredible.”
C.S.—Housewife, San Diego.
Once I started I could hardly put
it down.”
J.R.--Retired pastor
“I found it very encouraging that
[Hobbs] could screw up so badly
and still turn out to be the man I
know today. Maybe there’s hope
for me too.” S.T.--College student
“I just want to thank you for
making me laugh, cry, smile in
awe, and just learn a lot about
myself also. Thank you so much.
You may not even know how you
have helped but you have.”  M.F.--
State prison inmate, Norco, Calif.
“You have captured the way God
led us out of the wilderness in the
Jesus Movement.”
M.G.--Eureka, CA
“Your accounts of fire fighting
are detailed and vivid…. God
bless your work in sharing His
wonderful love and provision
for mankind.”
K.S.—Chico, CA. Former fire
fighter, Christian Minister.

James & Kara Davis, Columnists, Territorial Dispatch newspaper:
Every Reader will see some of themselves in the life of David Hobbs. Full of humor,
heartbreak, adventure, and faith, Out of the Fire is a testimony both to the Christian
community and the community at large.
Reviews and Testimonials
“Your accounts of fire fighting
are detailed and vivid…. God
bless your work in sharing His
wonderful love and provision
for mankind.”
K.S.—Chico, CA. Former fire
fighter, Christian Minister.

Your story sounds truly  
remarkable. I have placed it the
hands of our high school Bible
teacher. Your life story will be a
great example of ... how Christ
changes lives.
M.J. Christian school librarian--
GA
“The chaplain handed me a
book called Out of the Fire by
David Hobbs. 'Here!' he says,
'you’ll like this….' I loved
your book! I felt like I was
with you every part of your
journey. Because of you--your
book--I’ve started to read the
Bible. David, I ask the Lord to
touch my heart, come in me
body, spirit, and soul.
C.H. Florida prison inmate