Sundance Fire Entrapment Fatalities 1967

The Sundance Fire had been burning in the general area of Priest Lake, Idaho, since August 23, 1967. Despite suppression efforts for a timber association, the fire continued to grow and command was transitioned to a Forest Service overhead team on September 1. At this point the fire was burning on the Kaniksu National Forest, now part of the Idaho Panhandle National Forests. Sector Boss Luther Rodarte took over this part of the fire, while dozer operator Lee Collins began constructing a helispot. This area was several miles west of the fire location and not anticipated to be in the fire's direct path. That afternoon, the fire made a major run, covering 8 miles in 4 hours. During this run, Rodarte and Collins were entrapped while attempting to escape in the dozer to a pre-identified safety zone. The two men perished in the rapidly advancing flame front. 

Fatality, Heavy Equipment, Fire Behavior, LCES, Extended Attack, Entrapment