7:31 p.m. PDT August 7, 2021
On Friday August 6, a handcrew was working on the south side of the McFarland Fire when a spot fire ignited ahead of them, the U.S. Forest Service said in a statement released August 7. While attacking the spot, six firefighters were exposed to some heat that resulted in first degree and minor second degree burns.
Amanda Munsey, one of the Information Officers at the fire, told Wildfire Today that the firefighters were examined by a Division Supervisor who happened to be a former Medical Unit Leader on the Incident Management Team. A helicopter was ordered to transport them to a hospital, Ms. Munsey said, but it was cancelled after it was determined it was not necessary. The six were taken by ground transportation to a hospital in Redding, California. The injuries did not meet the criteria for admittance to a Burn Center, so they were treated and released.
The firefighters will have two or three days off before they resume their duties.
The McFarland Fire is in northwest California on the south side of Highway 36, 5 miles west of Platina, California about an hour and 15 minute drive from Redding. It was one of many fires started from lightning around July 29 and has burned 30,000 acres since then.
The 44,000-acre Monument Fire is 21 miles to the northwest, 20 miles west of Weaverville, and on both sides of Highway 299.
Well last I checked if a firefighter can’t immediately return to duty that meets criteria for a burn center. Hopefully they don’t need it in a few days because once released from a hospital burn treatment through OWCP is a nightmare. Best wishes and hope for a speedy recovery.