Tuolumne Fire Entrapment Fatality 2004

Link to video: Remembering Eva

On September 12, 2004 at approximately 1345 hours seven members of California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Columbia Helitack (Copter 404) crew had to take emergency action when a sudden wind shift and fire flareup overran their position. The helitack crew was constructing handline during the initial phases of a fire. The crewmembers saw the wind shift occurring and immediately utilized their escape routes to the identified safety zones. However, due to steepness of slope and rapid change in fire behavior, they did not all reach safety. Three firefighters suffered minor injuries and Firefighter Eva Schicke was entrapped and killed.

Fatality, Helicopters, Initial Attack, Indirect Line Construction, Burn Injury, Entrapment