Nels Dahlgard at the controls for CAL FIRE.

After more than two decades serving in the U.S. Marine Corps — including five years flying the Marine One helicopter in support of two Presidents — former area native and now-retired Lt. Col. Nels Dahlgard has recently taken on a new mission: protecting California communities from wildfire.

Dahlgard, a Normandy Park native and 1998 Mount Rainier High School graduate, now flies the S-70i “Fire Hawk” helicopter as a Forestry Fire Pilot with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) in Riverside County.

He is the son of the late Dick Dahlgard of “Dick’s Camera” history in Burien, who passed away in 2008. His Dad was a well-known local photographer who ran a popular camera store, and his nickname was “Mr. Burien.”

Dahlgard recently completed his first full fire season and supported response efforts during the January Eaton Fire, which threatened homes in Altadena near Pasadena.

“Flying for CAL FIRE gives me the opportunity to continue serving — this time protecting people and property here at home,” Dahlgard said. “It’s incredibly rewarding work.”

Dahlgard joined CAL FIRE in May 2024 after retiring from the Marines in February with 21 years of service. He spent much of his military career flying the UH-1 Huey and its modernized variant, the UH-1Y, deploying multiple times to Iraq, Afghanistan and across the Pacific. His final military assignment brought him to Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1), where he flew the VH-3D “Sea King” and VH-60N “White Hawk” in support of the 45th and 46th Presidents.

“To have been entrusted with that level of responsibility was an incredible honor,” Dahlgard said. “But at the heart of it, my passion has always been flying in support of the people on the ground — whether they’re Marines or now, firefighters.”

Dahlgard’s role with CAL FIRE puts him at the center of some of the state’s most urgent and dangerous fire suppression missions, operating highly specialized aircraft capable of water drops, rescue support and rapid response.

“The Fire Hawk is an incredible machine — fast, capable, and built for the kind of flying that can make a real difference during a wildfire,” he said.

Dahlgard now lives in Temecula with his wife of 11 years, Kari, and their dog Talullah and cat Toni.

Despite the high-stakes nature of his new job, Dahlgard said the transition has felt natural.

“I’ve been fortunate to work with amazing teams my whole career, and CAL FIRE is no different,” he said. “You can’t do this alone — and that’s exactly what makes it worthwhile.”