Vantage Highway Fire Entrapment 2022

The Vantage Highway fire started on August 1st, 2022, during the prime burning period and spread in a sage, Bitterbrush and native grass fuel bed in Central Washington, east of Ellensburg. The initial and extended attack was rapidly engaged, however the terrain, wind, and difficult access made for limited success. A 20-person hand crew or firefighters with Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) arrived on the fire on August 3. The entrapment occurred on the north side of the fire at approximately 1220 on August 3rd, when a sudden wind change rapidly increased the fire behavior and direction of spread. During the crew’s suppression actions, a firefighter sustained knee/ankle injuries, 2nd degree burns, and multiple small lacerations. The injured firefighter was transported to Kittitas Valley Hospital (KVH) for initial evaluation and treatment.

Entrapment, Hand Crews, Burn Injury, Firing, Extended Attack