From: Patricia J Akers <delachenaie1@yahoo.com>
To: californiadisasters@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sun, November 21, 2010 6:51:03 AM
Subject: Re: [californiadisasters] Re: On This Date In CA Weather History (November 20)
"The eleven victims were cut off while still below the small bluff, presumably by an instantaneous "flash-over" of a large area of fire. This sudden expansion of the fire front was testified to by the survivors and other nearby observers. In addition, two fire bosses on the opposite side of the main San Diego Canyon observed the action of the fire when it made its fatal run. They reported that it ran up the ravine beside the ridge where the men were working and across the fire trail near the top. At about the time the fire got to the rim there was a sudden "flash-over" to the left, which the observers said simultaneously ignited a large area, perhaps 40 acres. This explosive "flash-over" enveloped the 11 victims just below the small bluff. It apparently was caused by ignition of gases forced up the ravine by the extremely rapid run of the fire.
All victims were found in an area with a radius of 45 feet and the lowermost one was only 300 feet from the tractor-built line at the top of the canyon rim. The fire barely crossed this line in only a few places, where it was quickly put out. Of the men that escaped, two had been working at the very lowest part of the trail. Two who had been working closest to the rim did not escape.
Several of the fire fighters, including the forest officers who lost their lives, stayed with the crew until the last, helping and urging others out even though they might otherwise have had an opportunity to escape. One of those who escaped credited a fellow crew man with saving his life when he became exhausted while climbing over the rock bluff."
The Inaja fire was under control on November 28. It burned 43,611 acres. 2,000 men,3 helicopters, 4 air tankers, 2 scouting planes, 27 bulldozers, 90 trucks of differing arrays fought the blaze. A State park now is dedicated to the fire and the men who fought and died in the fire.
The Conclusions have been used to since to direct placement of personnel during fires so that fewer deaths of firefighters occur.
"Fire Behavior. The disastrous flareup of the Inaja fire was caused by a critical combination of highly flammable fuels, steep topography, and adverse weather. The lull in the fire before and at the time of arrival of the night crews created a false sense of security, even though existing conditions of fuel, topography, and weather were critical."
"Crew location in canyon. The men were taken down the line into the canyon owing to a lack of information to show possible danger from the fire in the canyon below."
The night crew had not been briefed on the conditions of the area prior to entering the canyon. The fire trail was placed on a ridge, above the canyon. The main fire was below, emphasis was placed on the burnout. The possibility of the burn out bringing the fire towards the men in the canyon was not considered. It literally pulled the main fire towards the men stationed in the canyon. The fire came up and blocked the trail so that eleven men were engulfed in a flash burn.
Recommendations at the time were as follows:
"Recommendations of the Investigating Team
It was strongly brought out by the investigation that better knowledge of fire behavior must be developed as an essential means of preventing future fire tragedies. Research studies even more comprehensive and penetrating than past and current fire behavior research must be carried our to determine means of fighting mass fires and the behavior of fires in forested areas, especially in rough topography. In addition to progress in fire control methods already made, new and more powerful methods of attacking mass fires are needed and must be developed. Such methods, like use of aerial attack with water and chemicals, may provide the means of controlling dangerous fires with less risk to human lives.
More experts on fire behavior must be developed for assignment to critical fires. These highly skilled experts would evaluate situations and assist fire bosses in making decisions for safe, effective fire fighting.
The investigators pointed out that in general, although not related in particular to the Inaja fire, present Government salary and wage rates make it difficult to obtain and hold competent fire control personnel. Controlling mass forest fires is a difficult and highly technical job. The specifications for these positions should be further reviewed with appropriate Department and Civil Service Commission officials."
Information can be found here.
http://www.coloradofirecamp.com/cedar_fire/inaja_fire_tragedy.htm
Patricia
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