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Compartment 75 Prescribed Fire Vehicle Tree Strike 2026

  • Incident Information:

    Attachment Size
    Savannah River Tree Strike RLS.pdf (481.58 KB) 481.58 KB

  • Location:

    South Carolina

  • Date:

    03/10/2026

  • Incident Type:

    Hit by Tree

  • Description:

    On March 10th, 2026, the Savannah River Forest conducted a prescribed fire in Timber Compartment 75.

    At approximately 1705 hours Engine 603’s driver contacted the Holding Boss via radio to request his assistance with the hazard tree assessment. Ten minutes later, the Holding Boss arrived. He and Engine 603’s driver went down to the base of the hazard tree for a proper size up.
    At approximately 1720 hours, the Engine 603 driver placed his hand on the tree, felt movement, and realized that it was falling unexpectedly. He yelled: “Tree’s coming down!” to the Holding Boss who was standing directly beside him. Both the Holding Boss and the driver quickly ran up the embankment—just in time to look over and see the tree strike Engine 603.

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