Maverick Fire 2008

On August 1, 2008, during initial attack on the Maverick Fire, a natural gas line leak ignited and was detected within the interior of the fireline. The Incident Operations Chief halted fire operations and contacted the gas line personnel. The responding gas crew isolated and “blocked in” the leak and let the residual gas burn off through that afternoon. On August 6, gas line personnel were at the “pig launcher” on the southeast perimeter of the fire to repair a leaking gasket. The 300 psi of gas isolated in the pig launcher and associated piping was vented to allow for the repair. Several firefighters assigned to the Maverick Fire reported hearing the gas venting followed by a “strong rotten” egg odor. Soon after, some crewmembers from the Upper Colorado River Interagency Type 2 Crew experienced symptoms consistent with hydrogen sulfide (toxic) exposure while conducting mop-­up activities downwind of the gas line personnel working at the pig launcher. These symptoms included nausea, headaches and some dry heaving. Those affected withdrew to higher ground and began to recover.

Exposure