Elizabeth 1981

An Angeles National Forest engine crew was assigned to the Elizabeth Fire. The engine foreman and three crew members were working on a spot fire when fire downslope and upwind was reported by the fifth crewmember who had remained on the ridgetop at the engine. Warned of the developing upwind fire, the foreman and crew returned to the engine. The foreman directed the crew to leave the area. The foreman and crew became separated during the evacuation, with the crew going west, toward a volunteer fire department unit who shouted warnings, and the foreman and engine going east. The foreman safely escaped into the burned area, but returned apparently in search of a crew member. The foreman, Gilbert Lopez, was then overtaken by the fire and killed. The other crew members had escaped to the west and were safe, although injured.

Gilbert Lopez, Engine Foreman, Angeles National Forest, was killed on July 15, while taking suppression action on a fire.

Initial Attack, Engines, Fatality, Burn Injury, Entrapment