2 Firefighters in Good Condition After Skin Surgery

Two firefighters injured in the Calabasas-Malibu brush fire were in good condition after skin graft surgery Monday at the Grossman Burn Center at Sherman Oaks Hospital, officials said.

A third firefighter, William Jensen of the Glendale Fire Department, who was the most seriously injured of four firefighters hospitalized last Tuesday, remained in critical condition, officials said.

Hospital administrators said Glendale Firefighter Scott French, 41, and Los Angeles Firefighter Ross Torstenbo, 42, both had skin taken from their own thighs and grafted to their wounds Monday.

French had skin grafted to his ears and arms. Torstenbo had skin grafted to his ears, arms, hands, back and neck.

“The doctors were pleased,” said Larry Weinberg, a burn center spokesman.

Weinberg said doctors will monitor the patients for several days before determining whether additional grafting will be necessary. Both French and Torstenbo had been healing well before Monday’s surgery, he said.

“That in itself is an indication of progress,” Weinberg said.

Jensen, 52, who suffered second- and third-degree burns on more than 70% of his body, underwent extensive surgery early Friday. He is scheduled for more surgery today. Another injured firefighter, Surgey “Guy” Tomlinson, 29, of the Los Angeles Fire Department, was discharged from the burn center Thursday.

Authorities said it appears Jensen and French were manning hoses near a hillside home in Corral Canyon when they were overtaken by flames. At the same time, four Los Angeles city firefighters, including Torstenbo and Tomlinson, were caught in their fire engine, authorities said.

Weinberg said Gov. Pete Wilson is expected to visit the firefighters at the burn center today.