Fish Canyon Fire Entrapment 1958

The Fish Canyon Fire was ignited by a tracer bullet in the frontcountry of the Angeles National Forest in California. The assistant district fire control officer, David Westfall, and prevention technician Norman White were working together to advance a hoselay during initial attack when a sudden increase in fire behavior caused both men to retreat. Westfall fell and broke his ankle, sustaining major burn injuries. White also suffered severe burn injuries. A third Forest Service firefighter, Jack Tice, went to the aid of the two severely injured men, cooling the area with water from a burned-though hoselay. Tice received minor burns and other injuries, from which he quickly recovered. Norman White remained in the hospital for weeks, his condition improving, until he passed away suddenly on October 11, 1958. 

Entrapment, Initial Attack, Burn Injury, Fatality