Wildfire Today

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Wildfire Today

Tag: fatality

Smokejumper killed in northern California

Author Bill GabbertPosted on Categories UncategorizedTags , , , , 14 Comments on Smokejumper killed in northern California

(Originally published at 11:12 a.m. MT, June 11, 2013; updated at 12:30 p.m. MT, June 11, 2013)

The U.S. Forest Service has released the following statement:

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“US Forest Service wildland firefighter dies in Northern California

Release Date: Jun 11, 2013

VALLEJO, Calif. – A 28-year-old firefighter from Susanville, Calif., died Monday afternoon [June 10] as a result of injuries received on a wildfire on the Modoc National Forest in northeast California. Luke Sheehy was a member of the California Smokejumpers, based out of Redding.

Sheehy was struck by a falling portion of a tree on the Saddle Back Fire in the South Warner Wilderness about 15 miles southeast of Alturas, Calif. The incident occurred just before 5 p.m. Efforts to resuscitate Sheehy were not successful. He was flown by helicopter to a hospital in Alturas where he was pronounced dead.

“Our hearts go out to the family and friends of this brave young smokejumper who lost his life yesterday working with his team to control a blaze on the Modoc National Forest,” said U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. “We are launching a full review into the cause of his death to learn everything we can to prevent future tragedies like this.”

Pacific Southwest Regional Forester Randy Moore echoed Chief Tidwell’s sentiments. “We are deeply saddened by this tragedy. It’s a devastating loss and is being felt throughout the entire Forest Service.”

The Saddle Back Fire is one of several dozen lightning-caused fires that began on multiple national forests throughout northern California on Sunday and Monday. It was first reported to the Modoc Interagency Communications Center about 3 p.m. Monday. Several U.S. Forest Service firefighters remain on scene suppressing the fire.”

(end of statement)

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About 8,000 lightning strikes were recorded in northern California Sunday and Monday. As of Tuesday morning over 60 small fires had been detected.

Our sincere condolences go out to the family and co-workers of the jumper.

We will update this article as more details emerge.

Report released for deaths of two firefighters in Victoria

Author Bill GabbertPosted on Categories UncategorizedTags , , ,

After investigating the deaths of two firefighters in a fire near Harriteville, Victoria, a report released Tuesday concluded the management, strategy, and tactics employed on the fire were appropriate. Firefighters Katie Peters, 19, of Tallandoon, and Steven Kadar, 34, of Corryong, died on February 13 when a tree fell on their vehicle while they were working on the fire. The report was written by Victorian Emergency Services Commissioner Michael Hallowes.

Locals had questioned the management of the fire after it was under control, only for it to spot and then burn for another 55 days. The report said the fire spotted over firelines, “from one remote, steep and densely vegetated inaccessible area to another”.

New Mexico firefighter dies while on project work

Author Bill GabbertPosted on Categories UncategorizedTags , , 1 Comment on New Mexico firefighter dies while on project work

A firefighter for the U.S. Forest Service in New Mexico collapsed and died May 5 while performing project work with his engine crew. The following message was distributed Monday, May 6, by Jeanne Higgins, Deputy Regional Forester for the USFS’ Southwestern Region.

It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that we share the tragic news of the death of Fallen Wildland Firefighter, Daniel Davidson.  Davidson, age 26, was working on project work near Mayhill, NM, on Sunday afternoon with two other engine crew members, when he collapsed. CPR was administered immediately, however when emergency personnel responded with the Life Flight helicopter, Davidson was pronounced deceased at the scene.The cause of Daniel Davidson’s death is under investigation.

Davidson, a U.S. Army veteran had served two tours in Afghanistan with the 10th Mountain Infantry Division. Following his tour in the Army, Davidson became a crew member of Engine 621 on the Sacramento Ranger District of the Lincoln National Forest.

Our sincerest condolences and heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family of Daniel. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.

FEMA’s report can be found here.

Our sincere condolences go out to Mr. Davidson’s family and co-workers.

Thanks go out to Jeff

Wildfire briefing, May 5, 2013

Author Bill GabbertPosted on Categories UncategorizedTags , , , 2 Comments on Wildfire briefing, May 5, 2013

Michigan woman found dead in wildfire

From the Milan News-Leader in Milan, Michigan:

The 76-year-old London Township woman found dead Wednesday afternoon from a fire in a wooded area was trying to get away when she was trapped by a fence. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office has identified her as Anna Eliva Pinto, a resident of 10460 Darling Road. Investigators believe she was burning brush when the fire grew out of control and she was unable to escape it.

Firefighters worked several hours to extinguish the fire that affected an area of 5-7 acres. Milan Fire Chief Robert Stevens said fire suppression efforts were well underway when a Milan firefighter found the deceased woman by a 6-foot fence that separates properties in the eastern side of the area.

Chief Deputy John Plath with the sheriff’s office said investigators believe Pinto was trying to walk or run to the east and was stopped by the fence. She was overcome by smoke and flames, he said. She suffered some burns but the cause of death has not yet been determined, he said. He said it is possible smoke inhalation or other medical issues could have contributed to her death.

Animation of satellite images of smoke from the Springs Fire northwest of Los Angeles

The Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies put together an animation using still images from a GOES weather satellite which shows the evolution of smoke from the Springs Fire which has burned about 28,000 acres. Check it out at this Discover Magazine web site… then scroll down until you see the “Click to Play” video.

More information about the Springs Fire at Wildfire Today.

Springs Fire narrated slide show

A narrated slide show of photographs of the Springs Fire is very much worth two minutes of your time.  It features photos taken by Los Angeles Times photographers.

New Jersey firefighter killed while conducting prescribed fire

Author Bill GabbertPosted on Categories UncategorizedTags , , 1 Comment on New Jersey firefighter killed while conducting prescribed fire
Jeffrey Scheuerer
Jeffrey Scheuerer

A firefighter with the State of New Jersey Forest Fire Service died while working on a prescribed fire Thursday, March 28. Jeffrey Scheuerer, 35, of Raritan Township, died from injuries after being struck by a vehicle near Round Valley Reservoir, according to Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony Kearns.

“Mr. Scheuerer and other members were conducting a controlled burn along Route 629 near Round Valley Reservoir,” Mr. Kearns said. “According to our preliminary investigation, it appears that a heavy smoke condition associated with the controlled burn was present at the time of the crash and may have caused reduced visibility when a shift in the wind occurred. Mr. Scheuerer was struck by a vehicle and did not survive his injuries.”

On his days off Mr. Scheuerer served as a member of the Readington Volunteer Fire Company.

Our sincere condolences go out to his family and coworkers.

South Carolina firefighter killed while responding to fire

Author Bill GabbertPosted on Categories UncategorizedTags , ,

A volunteer firefighter with the Dorchester Rural Fire Department was killed Sunday afternoon. Michael Louis Broz, 58, of Ridgeville South Carolina was responding in his own 1977 Ford truck to a fire in Francis Beidler Forest, an Audubon wildlife sanctuary, when the truck left the road and struck a tree. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Mr. Broz was the only occupant and was wearing a seat belt, according to the Highway Patrol.

Our sincere condolences go out to his family and other members of the fire department.