Timberlodge Fire Entrapment 1962

On August 2, 1962, a fire ignited near Midpines, California. An initial attack response began involving several fire engines and heavy equipment, who arrived at a road junction to begin fire suppression. As line construction began, a spot fire on the east side of a road was observed, followed by a wind shift and significant head fire run. Other accounts point to a low-flying B-17 airtanker creating air vortices that may have fanned the flareup. A Sierra National Forest engine crew from the Jerseydale station was first in line in attacking the fire and was entrapped by the fire. Four of the firefighters perished, and two crewmembers survived with burn injuries. 

Those lost on the Timberlodge Fire were: Thomas Foley, Mario "Martin" Giorgi, John Vaun Rasch, and Raymond St. Pierre.

Entrapment, Fatality, Engines, Burn Injury