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Firefighters forced to retreat as engines burned over; aerial assets limited at night
Summary
Sheriff Kelly said nightfall and steep terrain prevented use of aerial firefighting at first, forcing ground crews to hold lines; crews retreated to a mowed safety zone and at least one fire engine was 'completely burned over' and another was burned but was driven out.
Sheriff Kelly described conditions that forced firefighters to rely on ground assets early in the event: "Unfortunately, because of the terrain, off the and nightfall, they could not use aerial assets. So they had to utilize, ground crews and engine crews to be able to make the initial attack." He said the fire progressed into a firestorm-like event that endangered crews and residents and forced firefighters to retreat to a mowed property and shelter with engines and pumps.
Kelly reported equipment and personnel impacts: "1 fire engine, was completely burned over, as a result from being, incapacitated from the fire. 1 another fire engine was burned over but was able to be driven out." He also said firefighters suffered a range of injuries from minor burns to smoke inhalation and that a DNR crew transport was involved in a collision and subsequently consumed by fire.
