After 38 years in the fire service, Chief Eric Ewing has retired from the CAL FIRE Lassen Modoc Unit, effective Dec. 22, 2025. His retirement followed the appointment of Joshua Kern as Unit Chief, which went into effect on December 15.
Cal Fire says Ewing’s career began in 1988 as an Explorer with the Susanville Volunteer Fire Department, where he served for 24 years. In 1992, he joined Cal Fire in the Lassen-Modoc Unit as a Firefighter 1 and remained there throughout his career, advancing through the ranks to become Unit Chief.
Ewing’s assignments included various stations such as Susanville, Grasshopper, Westwood, Bieber, Alturas, Deer Springs, and Devils Garden Camp. According to Cal Fire, he also served as Battalion Chief at the Susanville Interagency Fire Center, Chief with the Lassen County Office of Emergency Services, Assistant Chief over Administration at LMU, Lassen County Fire Warden, and Director of the Lassen County Office of Emergency Services.
