I 90 Tarkio Complex Entrapment 2005

The Tarkio Fire was one of several fires in the I­90 Complex located on the Ninemile Ranger District, Lolo National Forest. Fires in the I­90 complex were ignited by human cause along an approximately 20 mile stretch of Interstate 90 west of Missoula, Montana on August 4, 2005. Plans for August 10 included using an interagency hotshot crew and dozer to burn­out and improve indirect line.  A local inversion broke around mid­day and the fire activity began to  increase. At approximately 1600, firefighter resources on the division were directed to withdraw and move to safety zones. While traveling to the safety zone, a dozer operator and two dozer bosses were alerted by other crews that their primary escape route may be compromised, after which they found and improved an alternate safety zone, a road switchback. At approximately 7:00 pm, these three deployed their fire shelters in the road switchback as the fire passed around them. All three firefighters were unharmed during the event.

Extended Attack, Entrapment, Fire Shelter Deployment, Heavy Equipment, Entrapment