Mi Wok Ranger District Rx Fire Burn Injury 2009

On October 22, 2009, a firefighter was assigned to lighting piles of activity slash with a drip torch in a five-acre project area at the Bald Mountain Helibase located on the Mi Wok Ranger District of the Stanislaus National Forest. While lighting piles, at approximately 11:15 a.m., he stopped to carry two additional drip torches that were nearly empty back to the fueling area. While en route to the fueling area, the firefighter continued to light piles with a torch in one hand and the other two torches carried in the other hand. The two torches not being used for lighting at the time were carried by the handle, backwards with the spout down. The firefighter unknowingly dripped fuel from these two torches onto his pant leg. When the firefighter walked past a burning pile, his pant leg ignited. Two other firefighters working nearby assisted in extinguishing the fire and provided first aid. The firefighter received 1st, 2nd, and 3rd degree burns to the right leg. The firefighter was transported to a local medical clinic for treatment, referred to the UC Davis Burn Center, and was released. The following day, the firefighter received additional care from the UC Davis Burn Center.

Burn Injury