Lakeside Fire Chemical Exposure 2018

On September 1, ground and aviation resources were dispatched to a fire near an industrial plant. The initial attack response included a combination of state, county, U.S. Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management firefighting resources, including multiple aircraft, engines, and overhead. Resources noticed the wind aligned with the smoke from the industrial plant, bending it directly toward the fire response area. As resources responded, there was uncertainty as to what would be appropriate as a response for this fire. Initially, some of the state and local initial attack resources and Incident Commander were unclear of the safety concerns in the area. However, once federal ground resources were on scene, it was determined by the federal Agency Administrators that the federal ground resources would hold five miles away and aviation resources could be utilized.

Although there was some discussion about aviation resources remaining clear of the smoke from the industrial plant and only engaging if they felt they could do so safely, it is unclear if all responding air resources initially heard this information. After engaging in firefighting efforts, some aviation resources over the fire and others stationed nearly five miles from the industrial plant began reporting a taste of metal in their mouths. Concerned that they may have been exposed to hazardous emissions, they chose to disengage from the fire. A pilot later sought medical attention after experiencing nausea and a burning sensation in his eyes. Other aviation personnel reported experiencing several days of symptoms including nausea, body aches, itching and burning skin and eyes, as well as upper respiratory, flu, or allergy congestion.

RLS, Initial Attack, Dispatch, Aviation, Exposure