Fillbrook Fire Heat Illness Fatality 1997

Firefighter Ray died as a result of a heat stroke after fighting a brush fire. The fire started when a tractor mover hit a rock, producing a spark. Over 140 firefighters fought the fire. Two firefighters went to the hospital after collapsing from heat stroke. According to news articles, this was Firefighter Ray's first fire. Firefighter Ray's crew was assigned to cut line on a hillside. Winds at the time were light and Westerly. The temperature was close to 100 degrees Fahrenheit by early afternoon, and the humidity level was under 15%. After a long period on line cutting (which included one break), Firefighter Ray manifested symptoms of heat stress. Despite the immediate on-scene attention of his crew and quick evacuation to a hospital, his condition deteriorated rapidly to heat stroke. He did not regain consciousness and died early the next morning.