Lebec Fire Hit by Rock 2016

On August 19, 2016, at approximately 1530 hours, CAL FIRE Helicopter 305, with the helitack crew, was assigned to the Lebec Fire in Kern County, California. While completing handline in a steep narrow drainage, the helitack Fire Captain (FC) was struck on the helmet by a rock approximately twelve (12) inches in diameter. The rock was loosened by another helicopter assigned to the fire which made a water drop above the FC. The speed and force of the rock caused the helmet’s suspension system to lacerate the head of the FC. The FC was treated and transported by paramedics to a local hospital by ground ambulance for further evaluation and treatment of the injury.

Helicopters, Hit by Rock