Trail Peak Fire Excertion 2010

On July 25, 2010, at approximately 2015, during initial response of the Trail Peak Fire on the Pine Valley Ranger District of the Dixie National Forest, a firefighter was incapacitated due to over exertion and an electrolyte imbalance, causing severe cramping of the legs, mild vision and disorientation problems. The firefighter began to deteriorate rapidly, by shaking and showing signs of shock.

The crewmembers immediately began to administer aid to the firefighter. The firefighter was still 1.5 miles from where the vehicle was located at the trailhead. At 2028, one of the crew called dispatch to order an air ambulance with hoist capability. A Hotshot Crew returning from another fire was diverted to help with the rescue if the air ambulance helicopter could not land on scene. The helispot was deemed unsafe by the pilot and landed at the trailhead to wait for the firefighter to be carried down to the trailhead.

The Hotshot Crew, which carries a paramedic and several EMTs as crewmembers, reached the firefighter at 2236 and administered a saline IV and oxygen. The firefighter was prepared for transport and started down the trail at 2259. The firefighter reached the air ambulance helicopter at 0048 and was transported to Dixie Regional Hospital in St. George, Utah. The firefighter was treated for exhaustion and an electrolyte imbalance and was released from the hospital the next day and returned to work.

Heat Related Illness, Medical or Exertion, Hand Crews, Medevac, Medical Emergency