Dude Fire Entrapment Fatalities 1990

At approximately 1230 hours, June 25, 1990, a dry lightning storm started a fire under the Mogollon Rim on the Payson Ranger District, Tonto National Forest, Arizona. The Perryville Crew arrived on the fire at 1930 hours, June 25th. After dinner they were directed to the fireline, eventually arriving at Walk Moore Canyon at 0230 hours, June 26. The crew worked through the morning improving indirect firelines. At around 1415 hours, the fire made a significant run, entrapping the crew in the canyon. Eleven crewmembers were cut off and deployed fire shelters. Six crewmembers perished during the entrapment, and five other firefighters suffered burn injuries.

Those Perryville Crewmembers lost on the Dude Fire were: Sandra Bachman, Joseph Chacon, Alex Contreras, James Denney, James Ellis, and Curtis Springfield.

Indirect Line Construction, Extended Attack, Fatality, Fire Shelter Deployment, Burn Injury, Hand Crews, Entrapment