LLC Incident Report Staff Picks

These are the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center staff members’ recommended incident reports from 2023—that appeared in the 2024 Winter Issue of Two More Chains.

I Suggest: Texas A&M Forest Service Pipeline Rupture RLS

Why I Liked It: This RLS captured my attention immediately. While prepping for a prescribed fire in southeast Texas, a dozer operator noticed a hole in the ground along a natural gas pipeline right-of-way. The operator stopped 50 feet away and called in the Burn Boss, who noticed a sound like rushing water at the two-foot diameter hole. The hole was identified as a sign of a ruptured natural gas pipeline. I appreciated this simple and lessons-packed story, emphasizing the need to do one more sweep for hazards on planned burns. After reading this, I will always know what a two-foot-wide gopher hole actually is. The RLS also includes a link to a short video in which you can hear the sound of the ruptured pipe, surprisingly like running water and not the hiss of escaping gas.

Recommended By: Erik Apland, LLC Field Operations Specialist

------------------------------

I Suggest: Elkhorn Fire Point Protection

Why I Liked It: This report has the basics—a clear account of what happened followed by actionable lessons. It also happens to be a wild story told in an engaging manner highlighting run of the mill fireline badassery. Are you prepared for your good deal point protection assignment to rapidly shift into a high-speed evacuation of families in a boat down Idaho’s Main Salmon River? OK, that probably won’t ever happen to you. But the lessons from this event are universal. This report gives great context on the importance of some best practices such as the tactical pause, being human, and empowering decision makers. It also goes direct with fact that point protection is working out in front of the fire. Please go read it now. 

Recommended By: Travis Dotson, LLC Analyst

------------------------------

I Suggest: Whiskey Creek Fire Burn Injury LLR

Why I Liked It: Here’s a quote pulled directly from this learning review: “A flaming firefighter was tumbling downslope like a rag doll.” If that doesn’t make you want to dive in and read it perhaps this good simple lesson will: It can be difficult to judge lateral distance when working on slopes. The images and narrative recounted in this learning review paint a picture of how terrain, vegetation, and the shape of the fireline can create an illusion that you are farther away from adjoining forces than you actually are. The review also revealed some more complex lessons that could have programmatic implications such as training and experience requirements and patient transport priority assessment (Red, Yellow, Green) using the Medical Incident Report. One really cool thing about this review, there is a Spanish version available, too. Check it out!

Recommended By: Kelly Woods, LLC Director

------------------------------

I Suggest: Pole Mountain Prescribed Fire UXO Incident

Why I Liked It: You’re an Engine Boss whose crew is assigned holding duties on a prescribed fire. This is not your Forest. One of your crew members texts you that he just walked 15 feet into the black where his foot struck something. When he pulls this half-exposed object up out of the earth, he suddenly sees those telltale fins—it’s a mortar shell! At the end of this unusual shift, you could have just shared your UXO experience with the people on this incident and back home on your Forest. But, while no one was injured—this time—you realize you need to share your story and—most importantly—its lessons. You write-up an RLS draft and send it to the Lessons Learned Center. Yes! The Center’s key mission is to reveal the complexity and risk in the wildland fire environment. This important RLS showcases how one wildland firefighter, by taking their own initiative, can help accomplish this critical communication heads-up for the benefit of all.

Recommended By: Paul Keller, LLC Writer-Editor