National Forests of Mississippi Prescribed Fire Burn Injury 2023

A crewmember received a minor burn to the lower leg while performing prescribed burning ignition operations on a unit on the National Forests of Mississippi.  While dragging a torch through some vegetation, the firefighter’s leg and the torch were caught in the same bush.  As the firefighter was working their way out of the bush, the drip torch fuel landed on the outside of their leg.  The firefighter was able to free themselves, and began “patting” out the fire, without success.  There was a standing pool of water next to them, and they were able to submerge their leg and douse the flames.  The firefighter reported the incident to the burn boss, and was transported to a local emergency room, and treated and released with “minor burns.”

[This data was provided by the USFS Weekly Summary Report.]

Prescribed Fire, Firing