Three firefighters on a crew in California suffered first and second degree burns on the Likely Fire northwest of Likely, California (map) on September 5. They were members of the CAL FIRE Devils Garden Crew 4 constructing fireline when a wind shift caused numerous spot fires. The firefighters attempted to retreat into a previously burned area when their escape route was blocked by a barbed wire fence. They received burns on their faces and were transported by a ground ambulance to a hospital where they were treated and released.
A Joint Accident Investigation Team comprised of BLM and CAL FIRE subject matter experts will be investigating the incident.
According to the criteria published by Ameriburn.org all facial burns should be treated at a burn unit, so we hope the firefighters received appropriate medical treatment and were not simply treated and released at the Modoc Medical Center in Alturas as stated in the 24-hour report.
Language?
Perhaps: Their means of egress was blocked by a barbed wire fence.
An Escape Route would have been scouted to avoid obstacles.
Page 5 http://www.fire.ca.gov/fire_protection/downloads/redsheet/Attachements.pdf