Storm King Mountain

Question 1

What were the fire environment conditions?

(9 things)

Answer 1

1. Temp ~ 32C & RH as low as 8%
2. Predicted cold front to arrive ~1520hrs
3. Peak burning period
4. Gusty, erratic winds from cold front =40 to 80 kph
5. Fire spotted across the valley below the FF working the flank
6. Upslope fire run (up to 60%) through solid fine/med fuels
7. 60-90m high flame height
8. HROS=9m/sec=540m/min=32.4kph
9. It took <1 minute for the fire to spread

Question 2

What are the common denominators on tragedy or near miss fires?
(4 things)

Answer 2

1. Deceptively quiet fire- it was initially
2. Continuous dry fine to med fuels all the way upslope
3. Unexpected wind shift caused by dry, cold front
   (forecasted but info not received by all F.F)
4. Upslope fire run
   (steep (60%), narrow valley=chimney effect

Question 3

What have we learned from this incident?

(3 things)

Answer 3

1. This fire became an eerie, almost exact repeat of the Mann Gulch fire in 1949, where a number of firefighters were over run during a similar fire blow up
2. Fire safety is extremely serious and it is your responsibility
3. Pay attention to fire weather forecasts and learn under what conditions you may be at risk. Memorize the 18 situations that shout “Watch Out” and the “10 Standard Firefighting Orders”

Question 4

What were some other issues?

(2 things)

Answer 4

1. Not everyone had radio communication

2. Firefighters from out of state