Pothole Fire Dozer Burnover 2019

The Pothole Fire was located within and adjacent to the United States Air Force Saylor Creek Bombing Range approximately seven miles south of Hammett, Idaho. The property is owned by Department of Defense but is protected through agreement by the BLM. Numerous federal resources were dispatched to the incident. Cooperators, including the Rangeland Fire Protection Association (RFPA) resources also reported to the scene after being notified by BLM.

The head of the fire was pushing to the southeast and the heel was backing slowly to the north/northwest. An RFPA Dozer arrived on scene in Division Z, and the Incident Commander (IC) instructed the dozer operator to begin direct line construction from Hot Springs/Bombing Range Road northward toward the heel of the fire. The dozer operator reported that the dozer had overheated two or three times while constructing the line. In each instance, the operator allowed the equipment to cool before proceeding. The operator stated that approximately three hours into the operation while attempting to cross a drainage filled with dry tumbleweeds, the machine overheated again and went into limp mode, de-rating the power. At the same time, the fire reached the dry tumbleweeds. The fire intensity, heat, and flame length increased quickly and dramatically. Without sufficient power (in limp mode), the dozer was unable to move quickly enough to escape the approaching fire. The operator jumped out and retreated to the burned (black) safety zone. The operator escaped with only singed hair on his hands and head.

Initial Attack, Heavy Equipment, Vehicle Burn Damage