2 LODD's Remembered July 13, 1984 – Baldy Fire

July 13, 1984 – Baldy Fire
On July 13, 1984, the Baldy Fire near Clear Lake, CA claimed the lives of two firefighters in separate incidents.

 Air Tanker pilot Ted was killed when his S-2 crashed near Cow Mountain while attempting to suppress a spot fire. 

Two Lakeview FPD firefighters were overrun by an uphill fire run while they were laying hose downhill in an attempt to suppress the spot fire; Craig Scovel survived, but Michael Mattioda succumbed to his injuries a day later on July 14. 

For more information about Ted Bell, visit
http://www.wlfalwaysremember.org/incident-lists/274-ted-bell.html

Incident Name:  Baldy Fire - taking off to drop on a grass and brush fire on Mt Baldy

Date:  July 13, 1984, 1610 hours
Personnel:  Ted Bell
Age:  39
Agency/Organization:  Sis Q Flying Service under contract with CDF (now CAL FIRE)
Position: Pilot

Summary: On July 13, 1984 Ted Bell in the twin engine Grumman S2F air tanker crashed on take off from the Ukiah airport. He was en route to a grass and brush fire on Mt Baldy near Clearlake. The airtanker was carrying 800 pounds of retardant and the temperature was 110 degrees which may have contributed to the crash.

for Michael Mattioda, visit http://www.wlfalwaysremember.org/incident-lists/276-mike-mattioda.html

Incident Name:  Baldy Fire

Date:  burnover occurred on 7/13/1984; Mike died on 7/14/1984 at 1800 hrs at Chico Community Hospital, Chico CA
Personnel:  Mike Mattioda
Age:  19
Agency/Organization:  Lakeshore Fire Protection District in Clearlake, CA evolving into a CDF jurisdiction fire
Position: firefighter

Summary: On 7/13/84 CDF and Lakeshore Fire Protection District responded to a structure fire in Clearlake CA. Shortly thereafter the fire spotted into CDF (SRA) lands. During the effort to control the raging grass and brush fire on Mount Baldy, two firefighters were burned. Craig Scovel received superficial burns and survived. Mike Mattioda died the next day from burns over 70-90% of his body.

California Fire News 2012 

Tweet - Follow @CalFireNews