Ayers Road Fire UTV Accident 2025

May 31, 2025. Ayers Road Fire - southeast of Finley, Washington. 

A four-person engine crew was building direct line along the fire’s edge on a slope just above the irrigation wasteway.
The fuel was light annual grass with low-flame intensity. The UTV was supporting direct line operations utilizing one crew member from the assigned engine walking along side with the hose. The UTV caught a steep edge and tipped over onto the driver’s side.
A dozer assigned to the fire was used to pull the UTV upright and then pull it to a flat spot. During the UTV recovery effort, the UTV again rolled over, this time rolling one full rotation and coming to rest on its wheels.

The UTV operator was wearing all the appropriate PPE and 3-point seat belt. This UTV is equipped with hard plastic doors and safety restraint nets above the doors. All were in place at the time of the initial tip over. No injuries were sustained.