Hochderffer Hills Entrapment 1996

On June 20, 1996, a lightning storm ignite six fires on Peaks Ranger District, Coconino National Forest, near Flagstaff, Arizona. One fire was on Hochderffer Hills. Initial attack began immediately and continued through 0800 on June 21, 1996 when the fire was declared contained by the District Fire Management Officer; at this time the area in question was 15 acres in size. On June 21, the Blue Ridge IHC crew and three crews from the Mendocino National Forest Organized Crew (O.C.) program, and E-109, a severity engine crew, were assigned. Later on this same afternoon, between 1220- 1230 О.C. 26 reported they had a slop-over too hot to hold and they were pulling back. The Operations Chief contacted O.C. 26 and directed them to pull down the hill, E-109 left the area with them at approximately the same time. One member of O.C. 26 was unaccounted for and found to be with O.C. 24 above the slop-over. The Operations Chief directed O.C. 24 (with the one O.C. 26 Squad Boss who had been cut off by the slop-over) into the black. The Operations Chief assisted by Air Attack, instructed O.C. 27 to join himself and Blue Ridge IHC at the top of the fire. О.C. 24 reported they were in the black. Air Attack advised Operations that O.C. 24 would be better off if they moved further north due to the unburned canopy below them. O.C. 24 assured Operations they were in "good black." At approximately 1250 O.C. 24 advised Operations they were deploying, including the one member from O.C. 26. O.C. 24 emerged their fire shelters after 3-5 minutes and reported they had sustained injuries and burns. Four crew members sustained burns, one with third degree burns on 18% of his body.