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Jones Hole Medical Fatality 1950

  • Incident Information:

  • Location:

    Utah
  • Date:

    07/20/1950
  • Incident Type:

    Medical or Exertion
  • Description:

    An early morning lightning storm on July 20, 1950, ignited the Jones Hole Fire in Dinosaur National Monument, Utah. The first firefighter onscene was Fire Control Aide Theadore McCarrel, who began constructing fireline at 0715. After constructing multiple handlines alone, McCarrel brought the fire into containment at 1600. He was relieved on the line by additional resources who arrived in the late afternoon. The fire was successfully controlled and mopped up at a final size of 18 acres. Due to his overexertion during his solitary effort during initial attack, McCarrel subsequently became ill and passed away on August 2, 1950. 

    Medical or Exertion or Heat, Fatality, Initial Attack