East Highlands Fire Entrapment Fatality 1956

Eight firefighters were burned, one fatally, in several incidents on the East Highlands Fire in the mountains north of San Bernardino. After 2200 on November 19, 1956, two contract dozers were constructing line at the head of Orange Street, west of City Creek Road, when a sudden wind shift entrapped the two dozers and their Forest Service work leader. One operator and the Forest Service employee received first degree burns, but Edwin Bass was severely burned as he exited his dozer to escape on foot. Bass was taken to the St. Bernadine Hospital where he passed away at 0220 on November 20. The other two men took refuge behind a dozer to shield them from the flames. 

In other unspecified incidents, five additional firefighters were burned, two seriously. 

Entrapment, Fatality, Heavy Equipment, Burn Injury