Trinity National Forest Hit by Tree Fatality 1931

On August 22, 1931, firefighters led by District Ranger Wesley Hotaling initial attacked an eight-acre fire on the Trinity National Forest, high on a ridge between Soldier Creek and Dutch Creek. After working several hours, the group of six were relieved by 14 firefighters and sat down to rest and eat dinner at 10:30 PM. As they sat, a large tree that had been weakened by fire fell into the group. The tree struck three of the resting firefighters, causing minor injuries in two and major injuries in one man, Jess Paige. Paige's leg/hip was severely injured and his skull may have been fractured. Paige was carried two miles by stretcher to a road, then conveyed to a waiting ambulance in Weaverville, and on to the hospital in Redding. Paige passed away at the hospital on the afternoon of August 24th, the following day. Paige was a 34-year-old World War I veteran. 

Hit by Tree, Fatality, Initial Attack, Hand Crews