West End Prescribed Fire ATV Rollover 2026

On February 18, 2026, at 0930, about a dozen personnel from the Bureau of Land (BLM), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and Little Rock Air Force Base (LRAFB) gathered for operations on the Pollinator and West End Prescribed Fire (Rx) units. At approximately 1120, a test fire was initiated on the Pollinator Unit, completing that burn by 1300. Following this, resources regrouped and convoyed to the West End Rx, arriving around 1340. Around 1430 hours, the Firing Boss Trainee drove an ATV ahead to find possible ignition areas. On the way back, he ran the ATV onto a steep slope between a building and the electric fence. The ATV tipped onto its side into the fence, trapping the Firing Boss Trainee beneath it. Firefighters lifted the ATV sufficiently to allow the Firing Boss Trainee to safely extricate himself from beneath it. The Firing Boss Trainee then proceeded to receive an evaluation from FES personnel at the scene. He was transported to the hospital and released with no limitations hours later.