Tepee Fire Dozer on Fire 2018

While working on his own from the southern anchor point, Dozer 230 noted strange odors inside his environmental cab. He continued with direct line construction before noticing the smell once again, but this time much stronger. He looked out the rear window and noticed smoke coming out from between the tank guard and the fuel tank. The Dozer Operator radioed that his dozer was on fire and that he would use a fire extinguisher to attempt to suppress it. He set his blade on the ground and retrieved his line pack, gloves, hand-held radio, and briefcase. The cab was rapidly filling with smoke. The fire extinguisher had little noticeable effect. The operator began rapidly walking back down his dozer line toward the road to retrieve another fire extinguisher from Engine 332. The operator, along with a member of Engine 332, returned to the dozer, which now had thick black smoke rolling from the cab and motor compartment. The second attempt to suppress was ineffective. Although numerous ideas to apply water or retardant were discussed, both individuals agreed that the dozer was already fully involved and was a lost cause. 

Initial Attack, RLS, Heavy Equipment