Lumpkin Fire Entrapment 2015

In the afternoon on September 13, 2015, two private bulldozers became stuck on Division Delta (DIV D) while operating on the Lumpkin Incident. The bulldozers were constructing downhill fire line on a ridge that was steep, narrow and densely wooded starting from Ponderosa Way. During the course of this operation, the bulldozers proceeded to a point where it was no longer safe to operate due to the terrain and visibility. Both bulldozers were left on the fire line overnight. On September 14, 2015, one of the private bulldozer operators (Operator E-1) and two CAL FIRE Dozer Bosses (DOZB1 and DOZB2) returned to the site where the dozers were left the night before, to build a plan for the bulldozers' removal. The main fire was burning one ridge to the west. During the meeting, a slope reversal occurred and the main fire became established in the drainage directly below Operator E-1, DOZB1 and DOZB2. The fire intensity increased significantly. Operator E-1, DOZB1, and DOZB2 attempted to retreat uphill along the dozer line. During this retreat, the group was cut off and could not make it to the road ahead of the advancing fire. All three individuals turned and ran downhill where they were assisted to safety by communications with Helicopter 205 (C205) and a Field Observer (FOBS1), who was honking his vehicle horn to give them a direction of escape. The two private bulldozers were burned and were rendered inoperable. No injuries occurred.

Indirect Line Construction, Fire Behavior, Heavy Equipment, Entrapment, Narrow Escape