Maple Meadows Fire Hit by Limb Fatality 1938

Charles Kiser, a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) crewmember based at Camp Raleigh in Beckley, West Virginia, was killed when he was struck by a limb from a burning tree on the Maple Meadows Fire. Kiser was part of an 18-member crew on the fireline. On the night of April 16, 1938, each member was assigned to hold a portion of line. Kiser went into the green to suppress a slopover when a limb fell out of a tree and struck him, fracturing his skull and breaking his neck. Kiser was taken to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries two days later. A foreman blamed the accident on "overzealousness."

Hit by Tree, Fatality, Hand Crews