Curve 2002

On September 1, 2002, at approximately 1400 hours, three engines (2 Angeles National Forest and 1 San Bernardino National Forest) assigned to the Curve Fire had traveled on a one-way single-lane dead-end road. They were assigned structure protection and evaluating the situation to see if they could protect several cabins. As the three IA engines positioned near the cabins, they noticed a wall of flames traveling upriver toward them. As propane tanks began venting, the engines moved farther up the dead-end road to locate a safety zone. The engines were trapped, but positioned themselves in the safest place possible. All individuals stayed in their engines and although shelters we not deployed, two were used inside the cab of one engine to shield the heat. At least one engine crew used their SCBA because of excessive smoke in the cab. There were no injuries. The San Bernardino engine received heat damage to: paint, melted lights, and radio antenna. At least 6 cabins were destroyed.

Engines, Entrapment, Structure Protection, Fire Shelter Deployment, Initial Attack, Entrapment