Two RX Fire UTV Incidents 2017

On February 7, 2017 on prescribed fire in South Carolina, a UTV operator is patrolling the Rx's perimeter on a designated OHV trail. As the operator—who is holding the UTV’s steering wheel at the appropriate “10 and 2” locations—suddenly attempts to avoid a downed limb located on the edge of the OHV trail, the steering wheel rapidly rotates to the left. When this occurs, the UTV operator feels an aching pain in the left wrist. That night, the UTV operator notices swelling of this wrist and decides to seek medical attention in the morning. The operator is diagnosed with a sprained wrist that was placed in a soft cast.

On February 13, 2017 in South Carolina, while prepping a unit for a prescribed fire, a UTV operator and passenger are driving down a bladed dozer line to a wide spot utilized as a turn-around. The operator turns the UTV to the left, puts the UTV in reverse, and goes straight back. The back wheel goes slightly off the bladed berm—causing the UTV to shift weight to the downhill side. The UTV tips over, resting against two small trees that prevent the machine from rolling over. The passenger receives minor scrapes on their knuckles from holding the metal UTV handle when it came into contact with the ground.

Prescribed Fire, RLS, Driving, Utility Task Vehicle (UTV) Incident