My wife and I have held the opinion that Ventura County has some of the most considerate, courteous, caring people in Southern California. This belief was fortified recently by an incident that occurred as we were returning from a camp-out at Emma Wood State park on Sept. 25.

My truck, pulling a 32-foot fifth-wheel trailer, was topping the hill on Tierra Rejada when a pickup truck pulled up beside us with a driver appearing highly agitated. I rolled down the window and he screamed, “You’re on fire!” My first reaction was a sense of shock. I quickly pulled over.

Just then an SUV pulled up with a young female driver who asked if we needed any help. I told her I didn’t know yet as I ran around to the back of the truck where black smoke was billowing up. Looking underneath, I could see that the spare tire was engulfed in flames.

In a panic I ran back to the trailer to get our fire extinguisher. I put the fire out, but the tire continued to smolder, and, with the gas tank nearby, I requested the fire department.

Determined to remove the smoking tire, I attempted to unlock the padlock securing it in place. As I turned the key I repeatedly jerked on the lock—to no avail.

About then, the woman who had offered to help earlier stepped up and said, “Let me try.”

She wasn’t dressed for the occasion. She was wearing a stylish blouse with designer jeans and dress shoes. I didn’t want her getting dirty on our account, but she insisted on trying.

With that she disappeared under the truck. As my wife and I tried to coax her out, we heard her say, “I got it off.”

Since things were getting under control, we canceled the fire truck just as a unit was pulling up. As I was trying to remove the halfburned tire, three of the nicest firemen you could ever meet walked up and offered to help. They removed the offending tire and put the tailpipe back onto its bracket.

Before leaving we thanked the woman and the three firemen for all their assistance but realized too late that we hadn’t gotten anyone’s name. We can only hope they have the opportunity to read this letter and accept our deepest appreciation for their actions. Ted Turechek Simi Valley