Three wildland firefighters injured by a lightning strike were treated at a hospital Tuesday. The firefighters were working on the Frazier One fire on the Los Padres National Forest in southern California when lightning struck about 50 feet away. They were not hit directly, but the jolt left them disoriented and they had ringing in their ears. The firefighters were flown to a hospital where they are listed in stable condition. They could be released as early as Tuesday night.
Here are some lightning-caused injuries that we have reported on over the last several years:
- May 29, 2008: Two members of the Flathead Hot Shots were injured by lightning while working on a prescribed fire.
- August 6, 2009: Lighting struck a Sikorsky Air-Crane helicopter while it was on the ground in central Idaho, injuring four people working near the aircraft.
- June 2, 2010: Nine park visitors in Yellowstone National Park were injured by lightning when it struck near the Old Faithful geyser.
