Pine Fire Dozer Entrapment 2007

On September 12, 2007, a Dozer Operator was operating CAL FIRE Dozer 3346, cutting a line on the Pine Fire in brush that was 10+ feet high (over-cab height). The dozer was over-taken by fire. The Operator attempted to back out of the fire but the dozer engine quit. The Operator attempted to deploy the reflective heat curtains inside the cab--but had trouble with the snaps. Heat and fumes built up in the cab. The Operator’s packs contained three fire shelters. The Operator was burned by the handle of his web gear assembly and dropped it in the dozer. The Operator abandoned the dozer and sought refuge in a “sandy area.” The Operator was later found by the Incident Safety Officer and was transported by air ambulance to a burn center for treatment.

Entrapment, Initial Attack, Burn Injury, Equipment, Heavy Equipment, Entrapment