Rock Ridge Burn Injury 2014

At approximately 1130 hours on July 14, 2014, an accident occurred on the Rock Ridge Fire near Rock Springs, Wyoming on a multi-jurisdictional wildfire. The fire started on 7/13/14 after a lightning storm passed through the area. Initially BLM wildland resources responded and then requested county assistance. During the second shift both agencies were working the fire. A county firefighter received severe burns to the forearms and legs while operating a chainsaw around the perimeter of the fire. The chainsaw used was found at the incident site with the fuel cap off and the tank empty. Witnesses saw the fire ignite at ground level and then engulf the firefighter. Basic medical care was provided on site and the patient was then transported to the University of Utah Burn Center in Salt Lake City, Utah by a helicopter ambulance service.