Sierra Fire Tree Strike Fatality 2015

The Sierra Fire was ignited by lightning on August 8, 2015, at the Sierra-at-Tahoe Ski Resort located on the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit of the Forest Service in California. During the initial attack response, an organized crew (OC) was mobilized to the fire for additional help in finishing handline and mopping up the fire. Numerous danger trees were identified within the fire perimeter and steps were taken to avoid these hazards. While finishing the last piece of line, a known danger tree fell and struck handcrew firefighter Michael "Mikey" Hallenbeck, despite mitigations the firefighters had implemented. A medical response including two helicopters was ordered, and Hallenbeck was flown from the fire area. Upon landing at a nearby airport, Hallenbeck was pronounced deceased.  

Fatality, Initial Attack, Hand Crews, Hit by Tree, Medevac