MM71 I 84 Fire Burn Injury 2012

At approximately 13:40 on August 23, 2012 a wildland fire started at mile marker 71 parallel to Interstate 84 southeast of Boise, Idaho. The fire was reported to Boise Interagency Dispatch Center (BIDC) by Ada County Dispatch and identified as the MM71 I84 fire per local fire naming convention. The jurisdiction of the fire was a mix of federal, state, and private lands. At approximately 14:15, a Boise District firefighter received 1st and 2nd degree burns to both wrists and elbows while performing mobile attack from the black, behind the main flame front of the fire. The burns were caused by residual radiant heat encountered while holding the hardline (hose attached to engine hose reel) above his shoulder. This action caused the firefighter’s shirt sleeve length to shorten, exposing unprotected skin on his wrists and tightening the fabric against his elbows. Initially, the firefighter was unaware of the severity of his burns and did not report the incident. Approximately 30 minutes later when the fire was in mop-up status, he notified his immediate supervisor of the injury and emergency medical procedures were initiated. The firefighter was transported to St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center in Boise Idaho, where he was treated and released on August 23, 2012.