Siskiyou County Entrapment Fatality 1926

Two fires burning in the mountains southwest of Yreka, California merged into one blaze under the influence of strong winds and entrapped two firefighters on June 28, 1926. Local rancher George Wilson had volunteered to assist suppressing a fire between Fort Jones and Grenada. He and companion Thomas Baker were escaping a major fire run when both became unable to stay ahead of the rapidly advancing fire front. Other firefighters came to their assistance, trying to help them to escape, but Wilson reportedly said, "Look out for Baker, I think I can make it." The men assisted Baker for a distance, but eventually were forced to leave him. Baker dug out an area to lie in and partially protect himself, and he survived the burnover with unspecified burn injuries. The entrapment occurred in the area of Guys Gulch. Wilson was found deceased. By the time the fire was controlled, it had burned a swath of vegetation 12 miles long. 

Entrapment, Fatality, Burn Injury, Hand Crews