Verdugo Hills Fire Entrapment Fatalities 1923

On October 14, 1923, Clarence Edwards and Joseph McGahan, plumbers by trade, volunteered to help suppress a rapidly developing brush fire located in the Verdugo Hills in Los Angeles County when they were entrapped and perished. The two men had driven together in McGahan's car to access the fire and, after some time, became surrounded by fire. They attempted to escape by the only remaining route available to them: farther upslope.

Some time later, their bodies were found by other firefighters. Whether the men were part of a larger crew or were working independently and without direction is unclear from existing reports. Thirty firefighters received minor injuries. At least two people not involved in fire suppression were also killed, according to reports.