Phoenix Fire 2010

During a brushing operation on the Phoenix Fire in Crater Lake National Park, a dead snag, 12-14-inches DBH, was identified as a potential control issue. It was leaning against a green tree, which limited the feller’s ability to fell it as desired. An Umpqua National Forest fire crew member volunteered to fell the tree. During the felling operation, a Fremont-Winema National Forest fire crew member was asked to retrieve a wedge, assist by driving the wedge and to act as a swamper. During one of the swings to drive the wedge, the axe hit the edge of the wedge which was bottomed out (wedge striking the tree's holding wood) and bounced back. The resulting rebound struck the swamper’s left patella with the toe of the blade. The resulting injury was a deep tissue wound of 1.5 inches, requiring eight sutures.

Tree Felling