Marsh Prescribed Fire African Bee Attack 2012

A supervisor and four crewmembers were scouting a fireline for the Marsh Prescribed Fire. The supervisor, driving an open-cab Rologon, unknowingly ran over an Africanized honey bee nest—located under the grass in an old tire. The swarm attacked. The supervisor received 200 stings. The four crewmembers averaged 25 stings each—almost exclusively to the head and face. The bees aggressively chased the firefighters approximately 1/2 mile through the marsh to where they were able to seek shelter from the swarm in an enclosed cab dozer and pick-up truck. The firefighters followed their established medical response plan and received medical attention within 25 minutes. They were all rushed to the hospital and have since recovered.