Mack Lake 1980

On May 5, 1980, the Crane Lake prescribed fire was conducted in jack pine forests on the Huron National Forest in Michigan. Less than two hours after ignitions began, the fire spotted outside of the ignition unit and became the Mack Lake Fire. The fire ran 4 miles east before a cold front passage caused the southeast flank to become a wide head fire front. Working of the left (north) flank of the fire, a Forest Service tractor-plow operated by James Swiderski was entrapped by fire in a dense jack pine stand. After first turning the tractor to the north away from the advancing fire, Swiderski then left the tractor and attempted escape on foot. His position was overrun by fire and he perished.

Fire Behavior, Heavy Equipment, Prescribed Fire, Fatality, Entrapment