Rainbow Fire Entrapment 1992

At approximately 1250 hours on September 29, 1992, Ventura Fire Crew # 2 was overrun by fire during suppression activities about one mile south of the community of Temecula Riverside County, California. The crew's specific task was to support a firing operation on the northwest corner along a dozer control line during the third burning period of the fire's history. Erratic winds affected the firing operation. The crew was required to deploy their shelters after they were cut off from both of their escape routes by the multiple fire fronts. At least three large fire whirlwinds developed in the area of deployment within the safety zone. These conditions resulted in the crew becoming enveloped in a fire storm. As a result of exposure to intense radiant heat and subsequent heavy concentrations of smoke, the California Department of Forestry Fire Captain received moderate to major burns to his hands, arms, face, and neck. Two California Youth Authority wards received minor burns. Another ward and a Riverside County Paid-Call Firefighter suffered smoke inhalation. The remaining crew members suffered lesser degrees of smoke inhalation.

Fire Shelter Deployment, Extended Attack, Burn Injury, Firing, Entrapment