Virginia Lake 2001

At approximately 4 p.m. on August 13, 2001, a line scout and a contract dozer operator were entrapped on the Virginia Lake Fire on the Colville Indian Reservation. They retreated into a meadow, used the dozer to clear a deployment area and deployed their fire shelters. Both individuals were in their shelters for a period of 30 minutes. As soon as the fire front passed, the individuals were picked up by helicopter and transported off the fire. Both were treated and released for minor smoke inhalation at the local hospital. Damage to the dozer was minimal. Another dozer in the area retreated to a safety zone as the fire burned past but did not have to utilize a fire shelter.

Fire Shelter Deployment, Heavy Equipment, Initial Attack, Entrapment