NEWS- Inyo Complex Fire - Fire shelters deployed minor injuries

Story by kcra.com

INDEPENDENCE, Calif. --

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection is investigating an incident Saturday afternoon that resulted in minor injuries to three firefighters.

At around 3:30 p.m. Saturday, three firefighters were injured and taken to the Fresno Burn Center by helicopter while fighting the fire line of the Inyo Complex near Independence. The three were assigned to two engines working together.

When the fire became critical, all nine firefighters from both engine units deployed their fire shelters. One of the engines was destroyed.

The Inyo Complex consists of about 10 fires sparked by a thunder and lightning storm Friday afternoon. The blaze forced the evacuation of campgrounds and residents.

Independence residents were allowed back home Saturday night.

Update:

There were 2 engines from TCU (Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit) who were doing structure protection near Independence that got burned over.

CalFire Inyo Complex News release: Three Firefighters Injured Fighting Wildfire

San Andreas – At approximately 3:30 PM yesterday, July 7, three firefighters from CAL FIRE/California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection were injured while on the fire line of the Inyo Complex near Independence, California. The firefighters were part of two engines working together. Five (5) firefighters were on one engine and four (4) firefighters on the other, when the fire situation became critical. The firefighters deployed their fire shelters until the fire subsided enough for them to escape. Three firefighters sustained minor injuries and were transported to the Fresno Burn Center by helicopter per CAL FIRE policy.


One of the engines was destroyed and one was able to be driven. Six of the firefighters did not sustain any injury. The burn incident is currently under investigation."


Here's the official news release.