Bull Fire Helitack Close Call Entrapment 1996

On July 14th 1996 a helitack module was entrapped during initial attack operations on the Bull Fire in Northern California. Helicopter 510, a Bell 206 variant, based in Chester, California, was dispatched to a lightning ignition on BLM land near the Nevada border east of Susanville. After inserting 3 firefighters, the helicopter configured for bucket drops. The fire was active on three flanks, and the 3 firefighters worked to find an anchor point to begin line construction. The helicopter was reassigned to configure for personnel transport and landed to prepare to retrieve its crew, who would manage this shuttling operation. During this time, the fire became active. Helicopter 510 landed on the fire to retrieve its crew. Stress and fire activity made the pickup chaotic. The helicopter lifted with its crew shortly before fire overran the landing spot. 

More on this incident is shared in this 1998 interagency training video.