Crank Fire 1987

The Crank Fire was ignited by lightning on August 30, 1987 on the Modoc National Forest in California. This lightning storm and resulting wildfire was part of what later became known as the "Siege of 1987." The initial attack response to the fire included engines from both the Modoc National Forest and the Lassen-Modoc Unit of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF), as well a hand crew from the Conservation Camp Crew program. At around 1700, thundercells moved over the fire causing the fire to increase in intensity into a crown fire that burned over the 3 engines and hand crew, who sought shelter in an opening in the forest and deployed fire shelters. The entrapped firefighters were forced to moved from this initial deployment site and redeploy on a road about 40 minutes after the initial crown fire initiation. The group of 25 firefighters left their fire shelters and walked out of the fire area at 1810. In all, 17 of the 25 firefighters were taken to area hospitals with various injuries. Burn injuries were characterized as "a few first and second degree burns." Two firefighters were transferred to a burn center. 

Initial Attack, Burn Injury, Fire Shelter Deployment, Hand Crews, Engines, Entrapment