Coyote Prescribed Fire Entrapment 2017

Ignition for the Coyote RX began at 1800 the evening of October 25th. We had two burn groups working the north end of the proposed burn area; Firing group #1 on the East side and Firing Group #2 on the west side with the plan to bring fire from north to south within the containment lines and a series of drainages that separated the two burn groups. The fire behavior was very active and we had to adjust burn patterns and techniques a few times in order to lessen the severity within the block. We also had numerous spots across one of our holding features. As progress was made from north to south Firing group #1 held up their burn to let firing group #2 tie into their fire before moving to another section of the burn area. Additionally a fenceline slowed down some of the interior burners close to the tie in point. As the rest of the burners progressed a horseshoe occurred in the middle that cut off the interior burners separating the burn group into two groups with the horseshoe in between. As progress was made toward Group #1 fire/tie in point 6 of the burners from Group#2 were cut off from their escape route and they were forced to walk through fire/heat to get out to the road and safety. Burners along the road had brought fire too close to the tie in point and before the burners could get to the road the lines of fire had grown together and created a barrier to the road. The time of this occurrence was around 0230 on the 26th.

SAFENET

Prescribed Fire, Firing, Entrapment