CAL FIRE GREEN SHEET: Private Hire Bulldozer Rollover

Thursday, June 28, 2012

CAL FIRE GREEN SHEET: Private Hire Bulldozer Rollover

GREEN SHEET

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)
Informational Summary Report of Serious CAL FIRE Injuries, Illnesses, Accidents and Near-Miss Incidents

Private Hire Bulldozer Rollover – Non Injury

Private Hire Bulldozer Rollover – Non Injury - Pond Incident 12-CA-MEU-003941

June 14th, 2012 Pond Incident 12-CA-MEU-003941

Pond Incident
12-CA-MEU-003941

Dozer Incident
CA-CNR - A Board of Review has not approved this Summary Report. It is intended as a safety and

training tool, an aid to preventing future occurrences, and to inform interested parties. Because it

is published on a short time frame, the information contained herein is subject to revision as

further investigation is conducted and additional information is developed.

SUMMARY

The following information is a preliminary summary of a near miss dozer incident that involved

a private operator in the Mendocino Unit. The dozer rolled over on a steep, heavily wooded slope

in thick smoky conditions while cutting dozer line on the Pond Incident.

CONDITIONS

Location: The incident occurred on the east side of Highway 101, two miles north of Laytonville. The

physical address of the property where the accident occurred is near 184 Pond Road, in Mendocino County, California.

Weather:

Temperature: 84 Degrees Fahrenheit

Relative Humidity: 25%

Winds: 12-15 MPH

Fuel Type: Brush /Timber

Loading: Fuel Model 5 and 8 (Manzanita and Needle Conifers)

Continuity: Contiguous fuels.

Topography: Heavily wooded, steep terrain.

Slope was estimated to be 88% at rollover site.

Fire Behavior:

Moderate Rate of Spread in ground fuels with occasional torching of Needle Conifers.

Significant short range spotting based on wind and receptive fuel beds.

Make and Model of Equipment:

2006 John Deere 750J

ICS Type II dozer

SEQUENCE OF EVENTS

The fire occurred in an area of steep slopes, heavy fuels in a Wildland Urban Interface/Intermix
setting. The fire was spotting in areas due to winds, steep slopes and receptive fuel beds.

As the dozer operator took action along the road, he observed the fire had extended below the
road at a bend.

The operator attempted to flank the fire and tie a dozer line in between the two
road segments.

The operator stated the visibility was very poor due to heavy smoke lying down
in the area.

The operator stated as he began to climb uphill to tie the line in, the slopes became
very steep.

Due to the steepness of the slope, the operator made three unsuccessful attempts to
connect the line to the upper portion of the road.

On his third attempt to connect the line, the operator encountered a log in his path. As the
operator attempted to move the log, his dozer slid perpendicular to the slope, reducing the dozer
maneuverability.

The operator then stated he attempted to make his way off the slope. As he
moved down the slope, he encountered a soft spot of soil which caused him to slide a short
distance downhill (approximately 10 feet).

The operator stated the slide caused his downhill tracks to settle on a loose root wad mass.

The operator said as he began to move the dozer the root wad mass acted like a fulcrum and flipped the dozer onto its side/top. The operator said he shut the dozer off and waited to ensure the dozer was done moving. Once he was confident it wasn’t moving any further, he released his seat belt and exited the dozer without any further incident.

INJURIES/DAMAGES

The equipment operator self extricated himself from the dozer and did not complain of any

injuries.

The dozer has a bent grab handle on the right side of the cab. No other cosmetic damage was

noted. The extent of the mechanical damage has yet to be determined.

2006 John Deere 750J
ICS Type II dozer

SAFETY ISSUES FOR REVIEW

• All firefighters need to continually weigh risk versus benefit in their strategy and tactics.

• Dozer Operators assigned to wildland incidents need to continually evaluate tactics and

slopes when conducting direct or indirect line construction.

• Dozers should maintain constant communication with personnel on foot to assist in

monitoring the slope and terrain.

• Hand crews, fire engine crews and other personnel on foot during fire line suppression

efforts must remain aware of rolling rocks, debris, machinery and other hazards.

California Fire News 2012

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How fires get their names

Every year in California thousands of wildfires start throughout the state. In most cases, the dispatch center sending the initial resources to a wildland fire will designate a name for the fire, but the first on scene engine or fire official can also name the incident. Fires are usually named for the area in which they start – a geographical location, local landmark, street, lake, mountain, peak, etc. Quickly naming the fire provides responding fire resources with an additional locater, and allows fire officials to track and prioritize incidents by name. For example during the Southern California Fire Siege of 2003, the largest wildland fire in California history, the Cedar Fire in San Diego County, was named after the Cedar Creek Falls area where it started. The destructive Old Fire, which burned during the same time period in San Bernardino County, was named after the road along which it started - Old Waterman Canyon Road.

CAL FIRE is the largest fire department in California and the second largest fire department in the United States. CDF - CAL FIRE Firefighters answer the call more than 300,000 times a year. CAL FIRE Firefighters make up the fire department for 30 of our 58 counties in California and more than 100 local communities. We serve as the incident command during many of California’s most serious disasters. CAL FIRE Firefighters respond to many various types and forms of calls ranging from structural fires, to auto accidents, to earthquakes, to floods, to the spilling of hazardous materials, to every conceivable disaster; CAL FIRE answer's the calls. CAL FIRE is the largest fire department in California and the second largest fire department in the United States . CAL FIRE firefighters protect 33 million acres of State Responsibility Area (SRA). We have over 4,000 members within CAL FIRE and CAL FIRE is associated with the California Professional Firefighters (CPF) and the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF).

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Thursday, June 28, 2012