Davis Fire ICP Electrical Hazard 2018

The Base Camp Manager for the Davis Fire was plugging in power to the Information Technology trailer for the Incident Management Team when the electrical panel arced and scorched the fuse panel. This also caused a fusing of the ground on the three-pronged 120-volt adapter. After a certified electrician evaluated the fuse panel, he determined that the hot wire was grounded directly to the panel mounting screw and the neutral wire was not connected. The panel wiring allowed the metal of the trailer to be energized—causing an electrical shock hazard. After further investigation, it was determined that when this trailer was on the previous Rattlesnake Creek Fire it was directly wired to the service drop panel. When the trailer was demobed from the Rattlesnake Creek Fire, it was determined that the wiring to the service drop panel was disconnected and someone attempted to rewire the fuse panel on the trailer incorrectly.

RLS, Close Call