Saddleback Fire Fatality 2013

On June 10, 2013, three smokejumpers were constructing fireline around a tree that had been struck by lightning within the South Warner Wilderness, Modoc National Forest, approximately fifteen miles southeast of Alturas, California. At approximately 1700 hrs, a limb fell out of the tree and struck Luke Sheehy, one of the firefighters. Firefighters on-scene started CPR and called for emergency evacuation. The nearest aero-medical support was 55 minutes flight time away and the aircraft landed at the Saddleback Landing Zone at approximately 1819 hrs. Sheehy was transported by helicopter to the nearest hospital in Alturas. Despite all efforts to resuscitate him, he did not survive.

Fatality, Initial Attack, Medevac