Deep Creek Canyon Fire Hit by Log 2021

A short module of four firefighters were spread out along a hillside performing assigned work on the Deep Creek Canyon Fire, Montana. A downed log covered a hot spot. The sawyer’s plan was to make two angled chainsaw cuts to the log and deliberately roll the middle chunk away. Near the end of the first cut, the log snapped free, rolling over the small diameter sapling that was holding it. Not anticipating the log to roll, the firefighter located directly downhill from the log back-peddled to avoid it, but instantly found himself on the ground— with the log rolling over him. The log jammed his face and head into the ground. He could feel the sides of his helmet squeezing his head. The firefighter was able to walk to a vehicle without assistance and was transported to medical care. 

Chainsaws, Hit by Log, RLS