Saddle RX Burn Injury 2012

On October 11, 2012 four Forest Service employees were assigned to continue “black lining” the Saddle Salvage Natural Fuels burn unit (561 acres). All four employees were to be engaged in ignition operations and each carried a drip torch and a fuel jug (approximately 2.5 gallons) of torch fuel mix. At about 1220, one of the individuals crawled over some blowdown with his driptorch, felt heat on his pants, and looked down to see that his lower left pant leg was on fire. He attempted to pat out the flames with his hands, but the fire immediately spread to both pant legs.  Then, he looked for a place to drop and roll. He had to cross over blowdown and fell into an opening 50‐75 feet from where his pants caught fire. He was able to sit down, remove his pants to his ankles, and smother the flames.  He had trouble getting his boots off to allow removal of his pants.  In the process he removed one glove (left hand) to facilitate removal of pants and boots.  The accident victim received 2nd and 3rd degree burns to 20‐25% of his body (both legs and left hand). He spent five weeks at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, WA.