Recer Fire Fatality 1990

A California Department of Forestry (now CAL FIRE) firefighter Kenneth Earl Enslow was killed while working a spot fire on the Recer Fire, Mendocino National Forest, 20 miles east of Covelo. At approximately 1335 hours on August 13, 1990, a snag fell on a CDF firefighter working on a hoselay attempting to contain the spot fire. Enslow received a blow to the head that broke his helmet into multiple pieces. The victim was treated by EMTs within seconds of the accidents occurring. A paramedic was on scene within 10-15 minutes and Enslow was being transported by CDF helicopter to Willows and by Enloe Flight Care (air ambulance) to the hospital in less than one hour of the accident. Enslow succumbed to his injuries on August 14, 1990 at 1005 hours.