King Fire Entrapment USFS 2014

The King Fire started on Saturday, September 13, 2014. The fire was expected to spread to the northeast, become well-established in several canyon bottoms, and come into alignment with the predominate southwest flow. On Wednesday, September 17, the Structure Protection Group Supervisor (DIVS), after lining out his other resources, traveled several miles to the north end of the fire. The DIVS traveled approximately three miles down a winding paved road into a steep river canyon, where he crossed a concrete bridge 110 feet above the Rubicon River. Deciding to turn around, the DIVS soon could see the fire moving rapidly up the canyon toward his location. The DIVS makes the decision to use the river as his Safety Zone. Grabbing his hard hat, line gear and radio, he prepares to hike down to the river. He leaves his vehicle running and parked in the middle of the concrete bridge. After being in the river approximately 30 minutes, the fire activity subsides enough for him to get out of the water.