Mountainair District Fire Engine A Total Loss - Crews Safe

For Immediate Release
Contact: Arlene Perea
Phone: 505.847.2990


Mountainair District Fire Engine Burned Up on Texas Fire, All Crew Members Safe

Engine 401 A Total Loss

Mountainair, NM, August 24, 2011 – On Thursday, August 18, Engine 401 and its crew from the Mountainair Ranger District were involved in an incident near Henderson, Texas. While supporting dozer operations on the Bowles Creek Bottom Fire, the three person engine crew was engaged in holding operations behind the dozer. As line construction efforts neared the northwestern corner of the fire, a wind shift associated with an active thunderstorm occurred over the fire area. This wind shift caused a significant increase in fire behavior, and motivated the Engine Boss to reposition his engine. As the engine was backed away from the fire’s edge, both of the front wheels settled into the ground and the engine became stuck. The dozer worked quickly to pull the engine out, and after several unsuccessful attempts, a dozer line was built around the engine. As the dozer worked, engine crewmembers attempted to extinguish spot fires beneath the engine, and as these spot fires grew, the pump quit running. After a number of tries to restart the pump, each with no luck, the engine’s fire extinguisher was deployed to contain fire burning under the engine’s chassis with only minimal success. At this point, with all engine protection options exhausted, the Engine Boss elected to depart the area due to extremely heavy smoke, building radiant heat, and increasing spot fire activity in the area surrounding the engine. The engine crew walked a short distance down their escape route to a predetermined safety zone. No crewmembers were injured. The Type 6 Engine burned to a total loss.

Our firefighters work very hard and we here on the Mountainair Ranger District are extremely proud and grateful that our crew returned to us safely from Texas. Firefighter and public safety remain top priorities on all of our crews. Our crew acted reasonably, responsibly and most importantly, safely. This is an all to close reminder that our firefighters face extreme dangers every time they respond to a fire. Actions by the Crew Boss and crew were not able to save the engine, but most importantly, everyone returned home to their families this week. Another 3 person crew is tentatively scheduled to depart to Texas on Thursday to replace the returning crew.

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Thanks - Arlene

Website: http://fs.usda.gov/cibola