Blue Cut 2002

At approximately 1630 hours on June 17, 2002, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF) Strike Team 9440C from the Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit, experienced a wildland fire entrapment while conducting suppression efforts on the Bluecut Fire in the San Bernardino National Forest. The crew of Engine 4473 was conducting suppression and firing activities in conjunction with the other four engines on the strike team when they were overrun by fire. One firefighter deployed a fire shelter on a dirt road approximately 90 feet from the fire engine. The other firefighter utilized the engine fire blanket in the engine's open crew compartment, while the Fire Captain used the cab of the fire engine as a refuge. None of the injured parties suffered more than 3 percent second- degree burns.

Fire Shelter Deployment, Engines, Firing, Burn Injury, Initial Attack, Entrapment