Los Angeles Angels Honor Hero Firefighters

July 14, 2022
The team honored and welcomed two firefighters who were severely burned during the Silverado Fire in 2020.

Dylan Van Iwaarden and his partner Phi Le were welcomed onto the field of Angels Stadium and honored for their heroic actions during the Silverado Fire in Irvine almost two years ago.

Iwaarden, who threw the ceremonial first pitch, told CBS Los Angeles"It's truly an honor to feel this support from a team that I've called home for my entire life."

Both firefighters suffered burns to more than 50 percent of their bodies while fighting the Silverado Fire    .

Iwaarden spent 114 days at the Orange County Burn Center in Santa Ana, where he underwent 33 surgeries.

Le told CBS that, "Every day I'm getting better. I'm very happy for that. I feel very fortunate and lucky." 

More than 500 fellow firefighters, family and friends were in the stands cheering them on.