Rough Draw 2003

On August 16, 2003, on the Rough Draw Fire in the Gallatin National Forest in Montana, the Maryland #3 Handcrew was positioned along the trail (fireline) using a hoselay to wet down the west (green) side of the trail in advance of the planned burn out to be ignited by the Salmon River IHC, who were positioned on the trail above Maryland #3. As a frontal passage began and fire activity increased, Maryland #3 assembled on the trail for a possible retreat to the safety zone. Several minutes later, upon receiving word from the Air Operations Branch Director that the fire was crossing the drainage, crews were verbally directed by the DIVS to retreat to the pre-identified safety zone via the marked escape route. As they entered the boulder field, their hand tools, chainsaws, fuel containers, and fusees were cached at the base of the safety zone. As the crew started the steep climb up into the safety zone, they observed that with the exception of the Salmon River IHC Superintendent, all of the IHC crewmembers were already well up and assembled in the safety zone approximately 200 yards up from the escape route. 

Hand Crews, Close Call