Rolling Rock Near Miss 2015

A crew is working on this 1/10th of an acre fire on a steep east-facing slope on a knife ridge. While removing limbs that had been cut off of a juniper, a large rock—maybe 200 pounds—is dislodged. This rock, located underneath the cut juniper limbs, had not been previously noticed. (The duff and other vegetative material burned out at the rock’s base which allowed it to lose its angle of repose and roll. The pulling of the limbs lying above it most likely contributed to its release.)

As the rock started to roll down the steep slope, crew members—per their training— instantly yelled "Rock!" The Incident Commander Type 5 Trainee was located approximately 15 feet downslope from the rock—directly in its trajectory. He dove to the south and was able to miss the fall of the rock by a few feet. Another firefighter was able to grab the ICT5 Trainee’s clothing—preventing him from rolling down the steep slope face. The rock rolled approximately 200 vertical feet until it struck the gully at the bottom of the ridge. No one was hurt.

Initial Attack, Hand Crews, RLS, Close Call