Upper Lyons RX Shelter Deployment 2014

On October 13, 2014, firefighters were conducting a prescribed fire in the Bald Hills Area of Redwood National Park. Crews were burning off of a handline when winds switched direction across the line causing several spot fires outside of the unit in heavier fuels, which burned together to form multiple slopovers. A decision was made to suspend ignition until an assessment of the slopovers could be completed. At approximately that same time, a firefighter who was scouting and assessing the fireline became entrapped due to intense heat and dense smoke. As a result, they deployed their fire shelter on the handline. The firefighter was quickly located and escorted a short distance out of the smoke and heat. They were immediately assessed by an on-site paramedic. They were airlifted to Redding Regional Hospital for treatment. He was released a short time later and referred to the UC Davis Burn Center for follow-up the next day. The diagnosis from the specialist at the burn center was 2nd degree burns to the left hand and 1st degree burns to the right hand and face.