Cow Creek Fire Carbon Monoxide Poisoning 2019

The Medical Unit Leader awoke with a severe headache, nausea and vomiting. He suspected carbon monoxide poisoning and moved out of the yurt, where he had been sleeping, into the cold morning air. He was taken to the nearest hospital, about a 45 minute-drive away, in one of the ambulances assigned to the fire in case his condition worsened while in route. The patient was treated at the hospital and, within the hour, was released and returned to the ICP.

It was determined that because the heating unit was placed next to a building with an overhanging roof, the unit’s exhaust was trapped and cycled back into the unit’s air intake, which was then pumped into the Medical Unit yurt with warm air. 

Health and Fitness, RLS, Exposure