CA-LPF-Indians Fire, 24-hour Briefing - Engine Burnover

Preliminary 24-hour Briefing of Engine 71 Burn Injuries Indians Fire

From: Los Padres National Forest Supervisor's Office

Date: June 13, 2008
Subject: Preliminary 24-hour Briefing of Engine 71 Burn Injuries Indians Fire

To: Peggy Hernandez, Forest Supervisor
Ken Heffner, Deputy Forest Supervisor

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS PRELIMINARY AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Location: Indians Fire, Los Padres Forest, California
Date of occurrence: June 11, 2008
Time of occurrence: Approx 1615 Hours
Team leader: Ted Moore
Mission: Fire Suppression
Activity: Supporting firing operations along Del Venturi Road.
Number injured: 4 burn injuries
Number of fatalities: None

Narrative: At approximately 1615 hours while supporting a firing operation, Engine-71 was involved in a localized fire blow-up. A cyclonic fire wind event caused four members of Engine-71 to be overcome by the fire. The crew was suppressing spot fires near the roads edge when they experienced extreme fire and wind behavior. Winds were estimated to be 60 - 70 mph. Limbs from large oak trees were blown out of trees and small, golf ball size rocks, were thrown into the air. The radiant heat caused the burns to the fire fighters. Initially, the firefighters were treated at the ICP medical unit, two were sent to a local hospital for further treatment and the most serious burn victim was flown to Valley Burn Center in Santa Clara. A fourth firefighter did not initially seek treatment. After further consideration, the 4th firefighter chose to see a physician. The three firefighters have been referred to the Fresno Burn Center for further examination.

An Accident Prevention Analysis (APA) team has been ordered to review this incident.

/s/ Peggy Hernandez
Forest Health Supervisor
Los Padres National Forest

cc: Rick Yoerks, Team Member, Dana D'Andrea, Incident Commander, CIIMT-7, Anthony Escobar, Los Padres Forest Fires Management Officer, Peter Tolosano, Regional Fire Safety Officer