San Dimas Canyon Fire Entrapment Burn Injury 1919

E. Pope, a firefighter helping suppress a fire in San Dimas Canyon, Angeles National Forest, was entrapped and burned on September 25, 1919. At the time, 160,000 acres on the Angeles NF had burned and 2000 firefighters were employed suppressing fires across the forest. Pope is quoted by the Ontario Daily Report newspaper (Sept 26, 1919) as saying, "We were all working like mad and suddenly the flames began to surround us. The other men saw the danger in time and were able to get out without being burned. I was working a little to one side and before I realized what had happened the wind sent a tongue of flame behind me and I found myself surrounded. There was nothing for me to do but to make a dash for it." Pope received burns on his arms and face, but had found a gap in the flaming front and his clothing did not ignite. Pope was treated in the hospital in Pomona, where his burns were described as "painful [but] not serious."

Entrapment, Burn Injury, Hand Crews