Tuolumne Fire
Helitack Crew 404 Burnover
Glen Allen Fire
Download 60-page Glen
Allen report, 4.6 mb pdf
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The Tuolumne Fire Accident Investigation Report was approved
by the Board of Review on May 11, 2005. The full report is available for
download on the California
Department of Forestry website.
We have posted the Forward
and other sections from the Investigation Report of the 1993 Glen Allen
Fire — an incident similar to the Tuolumne Fire — where two
helitack firefighters were killed within 5 minutes of starting downhill
line construction along underslung fireline. 13 years ago, Los Angeles
County Fire Chief P. Michael Freeman wrote:
“Consistent with my objective of being completely
candid about the Glen Allen Fire and its lessons, I have accepted this
blunt yet effective teaching tool with full knowledge that it can be
interpreted as being critical of many things. Yet, this tragic incident
and this report must form the “anchor point” from which
we shall progress, redoubling our efforts to prevent others from losing
their lives in wildland fire fighting.”
...
“On that fateful afternoon, no one on Crew 2-2
intended to take extraordinary risks or to place themselves in jeopardy;
none of them displayed a reckless disregard for their safety. Yet the
sad outcome is now history. So that history does not repeat itself,
this report must be accepted, not as a personal criticism of any individual
or group, but as a recognition and sad reminder that the dynamics of
a wildland fire have the capacity to mislead, deceive, maim and kill
experienced, aggressive fire fighters.”
CDF Helicopter 404
departs funeral
carrying the casket of Firefighter Eva Schicke.
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