While dropping gelled gasoline to ignite the burn, the pilot flying the mission noticed a person in yellow and green below him, inside the ignition unit.
Two More Chains Articles
Firing Device Mishaps
Visit the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center Incident Review Database to check out these stories about when firing devices either caught on fire at an unintended time in an unintended location, or when the wrong tool was used for the wrong purpose.
Dutch Flat Entrapment
During the firing operation a fire whirl forms, causing an entrapment with burn injuries.
Fiddlers Island Road Burnout
Located in the Fiddlers Island dip site was an alligator and her four hatchlings. This mother alligator was starting to lose her fear of humans.
320 Road Entrapment
This event happened on a fire you may have heard of, the Coal Canyon Fire. This incident is not the fatality that occurred during initial attack on August 11, but a firing operation resulting in a very close call on August 12.
Price Canyon Entrapment
The jumpers reported that winds instantly increased to over 50 miles per hour. Debris “as big as softballs” and embers rained down around them. Dense smoke enveloped them.
Looking Back–and Ahead–at a Decades-Long Jumping Career
He got his Red Card in 1988. He’s been smokejumping for over 30 years. He’s got many insightful wildfire suppression stories and lessons. It’s obvious that this man loves his work. “I couldn’t see myself being in an office. I don’t think I would be happy that way,” he explains.
What Makes You Matter?
Take a hard look at your relationship with being a firefighter. How much of your identity have you invested?
Not Unique
Many of us are drawn to this work in pursuit of intensity. Our life outside the job is often just a different flavor of intensity (not always in a healthy way). Our emotional struggles aren’t always directly associated with the job. But aspects of our profession complicate our ability to effectively tackle these types of issues—regardless of their origin.
The Realities of Managing Risk
Everyone was affected by Yarnell. In my mind, it was the defining event for my generation of fire. And I think we're still figuring out what that means.