Woody Ridge Prescribed Fire 2009

The Woody Ridge Prescribed Fire was ignited Tuesday, September 22, 2009, on the Coconino National Forest. Within the first 15 minutes of ignitions on the west line, spot fires began to develop. Two firefighters at the west end of the burn unit became involved in containing one of the spot fires. When they realized they could not catch the spot fire, they radioed for assistance. Seconds after that call and concerned for their own safety, the firefighters retreated toward what they believed would be a safer area back toward the main fire. During their retreat, they were hit by a brief but intense pulse of convective heat. Both firefighters suffered airway injuries. Despite their injuries, both rejoined their crew and continued working on spot fires alongside other firefighters for another 15 to 20 minutes. At about 1000, the two injured firefighters, having difficulty breathing and feeling poorly, decided to go back to their truck. Between 1030 and 1045, one of them called their supervisor by cell phone to say they needed medical attention. Their supervisor, the Burn Boss, and another senior fire manager immediately responded, meeting the injured at the truck. By 1106, the injured firefighters were en route to the hospital. Both of the injured employees were treated and released that day, though both continued to experience some symptoms more than a week later.

Prescribed Fire, Burn Injury