Summit 1996

On 8/13/96, lightning strikes resulted in numerous fires on the Umatilla National Forest and the Malheur National Forest. By 8/19 an Incident Management Team (IMT) had assumed suppression responsibilities for four fires known as the Bull Complex, under the jurisdiction of the Umatilla. On 8/24 and 8/25 the Summit Fire, one of the four fires comprising the Bull Complex, made major runs on the southern flank and crossed over onto the Malheur. With the acknowledgement of the IMT, fire staff personnel on the Malheur organized and dispatched approximately 8 crews, 5 engines, and 9 miscellaneous overhead to take suppression action on the Summit Fire on 8/26. At approximately 1800 hours on 8/26, 53 firefighters traveling in 5 vehicles, became entrapped when their escape route was compromised. The engine paint was completely heat scorched. Some individuals deployed fire shelters and held them up against bus windows as a precautionary measure. The engine was the only vehicle to sustain damage. There were no physical injuries.