Point Fire, 1995
&
Island Fork Fire, 1999
dedication
Point Fire Case Study
Point Fire Accident Investigation
A. Point Fire Overview
B. Investigation
C. Recommendations
D. Supporting Data
- Sequence of Events
- Organization Charts
- Site Investigation
- Fire Behavior Report
- Property Damage Report
- Witness Statements
- Outline of Kuna Wildland Training Provided by BLM
E. Records and Reports
- Preplanned Dispatch
- BLM Radio Transmission Log
- Ada County Dispatch Log
- Fire Incident Status Summary
- Escaped Fire Situation Analysis
- Wildland Fire Entrapment Report
- Technical Analysis of Personal Protective Equipment
- Vehicle Inspection
- Weather Reports
F. Glossary
——————
Island Fork Fire Accident Investigation
——————
Point Fire — U.S. District Court Civil Case
Ruling on I.C.'s Decisions - Nov. 10, 1998
• Factual Background
• Legal Analysis
Ruling on BLM Liability - Feb. 19, 1999
• Findings
of Fact
• Legal Standards
• Analysis
Ruling on Public Safety Officer Benefits
(PSOB)
——————
——————
Colorado Firecamp extends special thanks to Linda Perkins, BLM
Idaho State FOIA Coordinator, for her friendly assistance in gathering
the Point Fire documents. BLM FOIA Letter
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POINT
FIRE
ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
Investigation Process
The investigation of the Point Fire fatalities was initiated by the Bureau
of Land Management through its National Fire and Aviation office in Boise,
Idaho.
The team's charter was:
-
Identify factual data associated with the circumstances relating
to the accident.
-
Accurately and objectively record the findings.
-
Analyze the findings to identify the significant factors involved
and their relationships.
-
As appropriate, recommend actions that should be implemented immediately
to prevent similar future occurrences.
-
Establish liaison with, and involve appropriately, local, county,
state, and federal officials who have a jurisdictional responsibility
relative to this accident.
-
Develop and submit an investigation report as soon as possible, but
not later than 45 days from the accident.
The team convened Monday, July 31, at the National Interagency Fire Center
(NIFC) in Boise for initial briefings and instructions regarding the investigation
process.
In the following days the team interviewed witnesses, examined the incident
site, discussed the incident with members of the Kuna Rural Fire District,
BLM Boise District employees and others who had information pertinent
to the investigation. The team also collected information such as weather
data and burning conditions at the site of the fire.
Assignments were made to team members. The remainder of the week involved
collection of data, documentation of events, and interviews with many
of the persons associated with the accident.
Kuna RFD had the vehicle removed from the accident scene late on the
morning of July 29, 1995. Two mechanics volunteered to examine the truck
for external evidence of drive train failure. No evidence was found. Clothing
recovered from the vehicle was sent to the U.S. Forest Service’s
Missoula Technical Development Center (MTDC) for determination of fire
protection effectiveness.
The team closed out the initial phase of the investigation in Boise on
August 6, 1995. The team reconvened on August 15-18 to review the draft
report, and most team members met again August 24-25 to further refine
the report.
The final report was presented to [————] [————],
Director, Office of Fire and Aviation, on September 7, 1995.
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