Firefighters Escape From Burnover

Cajon Pass, California June 2002: San Bernardino firefighters scramble to keep a wildfire from jumping a highway. When they get to the top of the hill they find not only are they way too late, but now they must retreat. NOW. This is the closest call we have been on. 2 firefighters were injured.
More video at
http://www.caspernewsfootage.com

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• firefighter
• close
• call
• burnover
• trapped
• firefighting
• escape
• wildland
• wildfire
• cajon
• pass
• san
• bernardino
• cal

[garf1eld029]

Question.

What's up with the USFS unit at :08.

Are these fire fighters based in every state, or is their some main location they come from. Because I notice on some wild fire their aren't any USFS units (the green ones), but on major ones there are.

So I was wondering if you find them in every state, or they deploy to states affected.

Thanks.

[caspernews]

The fire was unified command between USFS and San Bernardino Co Fire and CalFire. The fire was actually on the forest at this point. Some of the engines you see are on strike teams called from out of the area. When the fire up top burns over, the BC was from San Bernardino County Fire. Somebody else can probably explain better than I. Guys?

[halodan08]

was this the LOUISIANA FIRE??

[caspernews]

Yes I think it was Lousiana

[upsguy03]

LOL!

Great video! These firefighters are awesome!! Not sure I would want to deal with wildfires.

[Firebrother343]

You can't really compare wildland fires to structure fires, They are 2 completely different beasts. Wildland takes more endurance and the move fast, structure fires have a lot of diff variables to consider. Building type, age, possible renovations, what is burning, etc. Both fires are extremely dangerous. I don't really think one is harder than the other. If you say wildland is harder than structure, come to chicago and take a look at some of the old buildings here.

[blinko656]

@garf1eld029 In California a few years back during a terrible fire season we had Firefighters from all 48 out of 50 states. My son worked with a Eng crew from Miami of all places. Weird.. but true.. We had catering companies to feed the Firefighters from Texas..

[laughing1wolf]

holy crap... that's scary!

[dcccapfan]

To the helitack crew you boys do a fine job!!! I am one of the guys on the ground and it's nice to have y'all up there helping us out!!!

[jebthegreat1]

good luck to all my brothers across the country, be safe this year and give it hell.

Maybe see you all at a good burner some time this year. Stay safe, good luck,

from Oregon Helitack crew 4

[MrDragon351]

Lol lousiana fire? thats nuts.

But LOL at US Forest Circus.

[SpongerOfTheTweak]

This is crazy, im a FF in training and school right now, and that was a very close call. glad everyone had escape routes and safety zones!

what type of winds was this? sana ana or foehn winds? cause it looked like it just exploded on the crew.

[GUMMYBEAYUH]

That has to be one of the most terrifying situations to find yourself in, PERIOD. At least with most fires you can back out and re-attack it, but wildfires completely surround you. I was in Yosemite back in the 80's right before that huge fire erupted from a lightning strike, and I'm glad I wasn't still around to see it. Bravo Zulu to you folks.

[MickeyFearn]

when the fire fighters are going up the hill why don't they have a tool with them? and why isn't the water on already? not that it would have helped with how fast that was going. maybe you guys have different regulations then Idaho...

[smoothskiing2000]

when the going gets tough USFS calls in montana aerial rescue ~~

[cuyamacatmu1]

@garf1eld029 Hi, the USFS units are only stationed in and around National Forests, and the locales where their Admin and HQ units are located. So if a fire is near a NF (much of the west is) you will see them. In a major incident assets will be coming from a wider area like a region and you are more likely to see them. Just look at a Map of the National Forests and you will get some idea of how many areas might have a USFS presence.