Wildhorse Fire UTV Rollover 2018

This UTV rollover incident occurred on July 10, 2018 on the Wildhorse Fire on the Coyote Ranger District, Santa Fe National Forest. The UTV operator attempts to back up, digging in the back left tires into the ground, causing the center of gravity of the UTV to shift. The weight of the tank and pump were perceived at the time to have exasperated this weight shift. The UTV rolls one full rotation and is stopped by a ponderosa pine tree several feet downhill. During the roll, the operator tumbles in the cab, landing on his back on the interior roof half way through the roll. As the UTV continues to roll, the operator is ejected out the passenger side of the UTV. The EMT on site administers care. The UTV operator appears healthy. He is evaluated for an hour and sent home to rest. No further medical attention was needed.

Driving, Initial Attack, Engines, Utility Task Vehicle (UTV) Incident