Horseshoe 2 fire entrapment
On June 7, 2011, two lookouts who had been observing a burnout operation on the Horseshoe 2 fire in southern Arizona had to quickly abandon their post when the fire spotted below them. They made a “rapid retreat” down a steep rocky chute, and after unsuccessfully trying to break into a house, broke into a second one where they took refuge and watched through the windows as the fire burned around them. One of the firefighters gained entry into the house by breaking a window with his ungloved hand, cutting his hand in the process, requiring stitches. His gloves were in his front pocket.
The house in which the firefighters took refuge on the Horseshoe 2 fire. One of the firefighters broke the window to the right of the door with his ungloved hand.
The view from inside the rock house as the fire burned past.
A review of the incident has been released. The review team used an interesting bit of technology to enhance the understanding of the entrapment — they created some graphics which can be viewed in Google Earth, but of course you need Google Earth to view them.
Well they did find a good place to shelter up but in all the excitement of a fast moving fire at your heels you use the first tool you have, an un-protected fist in this case. Next time I’m sure he/her will use a polaski or shovel.
I responded to a fire a few years ago and found the engine of the rookie crew correctly parked and chocked, the pump humming away, attack line deployed out to the small blaze. One of the FFs came running back in a panic shouting, no water! no water! Call for more help! I pointed over to the truck and said, read this slowly. He carefully said, “Turn to open discharge”. Shouts of joy came from the woods and he returned very red faced to put out the fire.
Even when things look real bad it never hurts to stop and think for just a moment.