1 00:00:01,621 --> 00:00:04,371 (fire crackling) 2 00:00:08,349 --> 00:00:11,099 (soft sad music) 3 00:00:19,210 --> 00:00:21,150 - The Southwest Idaho Desert 4 00:00:21,150 --> 00:00:23,403 is a landscape steeped in history. 5 00:00:29,300 --> 00:00:33,010 South of the town of Kuna, a memorial stands testament 6 00:00:33,010 --> 00:00:35,973 to a tragic day in the history of wildland fire. 7 00:00:39,420 --> 00:00:44,420 On July 28th, 1995, during mop up on a 120-acre brush fire, 8 00:00:45,280 --> 00:00:46,933 something went terribly wrong, 9 00:00:48,460 --> 00:00:50,383 two firefighters lost their lives. 10 00:01:01,780 --> 00:01:05,190 - This wasn't any extraordinary fire at the time, 11 00:01:05,190 --> 00:01:07,990 it had good fire length, if you were on the end of the hose, 12 00:01:07,990 --> 00:01:09,540 it's something that a lot of people cherish, 13 00:01:09,540 --> 00:01:12,170 they like to fight fire as you will learn later 14 00:01:12,170 --> 00:01:14,150 when the fire breaks out and wind hits, 15 00:01:14,150 --> 00:01:15,763 it becomes extraordinary. 16 00:01:19,390 --> 00:01:23,850 That day, it's a tough day for all of us. 17 00:01:23,850 --> 00:01:26,167 It's not a good memory and I appreciate the fact 18 00:01:26,167 --> 00:01:29,490 that the bureau and the rural fire departments 19 00:01:29,490 --> 00:01:32,430 are trying to say what are our lessons learned? 20 00:01:32,430 --> 00:01:37,430 That's the best, so the individuals do not pass in vain. 21 00:01:42,770 --> 00:01:46,461 (thunder crashing) 22 00:01:46,461 --> 00:01:48,920 (moves into upbeat music) 23 00:01:48,920 --> 00:01:53,890 - July 28th, afternoon, a dry cold front 24 00:01:53,890 --> 00:01:57,040 sweeps into Southwest Idaho bringing gusty winds 25 00:01:57,040 --> 00:01:58,573 and dry thunderstorms. 26 00:02:00,110 --> 00:02:03,503 Lightning from the storm sparks dozens of wildfires. 27 00:02:05,340 --> 00:02:08,320 At 18:29 hours, Danskin lookout 28 00:02:08,320 --> 00:02:11,823 reports a fire 16 miles southwest of Boise. 29 00:02:13,560 --> 00:02:16,620 The BLM Boise District Dispatch responds 30 00:02:16,620 --> 00:02:18,950 sending the Wild West Unit consisting 31 00:02:18,950 --> 00:02:21,870 of local type four and type six engines, 32 00:02:21,870 --> 00:02:24,830 a supervisor to serve as the instant commander, 33 00:02:24,830 --> 00:02:27,163 and an attached type four severity engine. 34 00:02:29,430 --> 00:02:32,400 More resources are soon dispatched. 35 00:02:32,400 --> 00:02:35,460 Boise BLM Unit C's two type four engines 36 00:02:35,460 --> 00:02:37,770 and a suburban driven by the unit leader, 37 00:02:37,770 --> 00:02:41,843 a type four severity engine, a water tender, and a dozer. 38 00:02:44,640 --> 00:02:48,610 Upon arrival at 19:00, the IC makes his initial size-up 39 00:02:48,610 --> 00:02:50,110 of the Point Fire. 40 00:02:50,110 --> 00:02:52,220 60 acres in size 41 00:02:52,220 --> 00:02:55,100 burning in mature sagebrush and heavy grass, 42 00:02:55,100 --> 00:02:58,440 flame lengths of three to five feet on the flanks, 43 00:02:58,440 --> 00:03:02,360 winds from the west at four to six miles per hour. 44 00:03:02,360 --> 00:03:05,070 At 19:05 hours, the instant commander 45 00:03:05,070 --> 00:03:07,340 receives a radio call from the fire chief 46 00:03:07,340 --> 00:03:09,290 of the Kuna Rural Fire District 47 00:03:09,290 --> 00:03:11,970 asking if he needs any assistance. 48 00:03:11,970 --> 00:03:15,650 The IC asks for a brush truck and water tender. 49 00:03:15,650 --> 00:03:18,700 The Kuna Fire Chief contacts the County Dispatch Center 50 00:03:18,700 --> 00:03:21,040 and requests two engines and a water tender 51 00:03:21,040 --> 00:03:23,613 to respond to the brush fire south of town. 52 00:03:28,670 --> 00:03:30,990 The IC's initial strategy, 53 00:03:30,990 --> 00:03:33,853 keep the fire from crossing Swan Falls Road. 54 00:03:35,010 --> 00:03:38,900 He assigns engine 29, the type six, to hold the road 55 00:03:38,900 --> 00:03:40,503 burning out where necessary. 56 00:03:42,360 --> 00:03:45,480 The other engines, 67 and 425 57 00:03:45,480 --> 00:03:47,720 follow the IC to a point near the origin 58 00:03:47,720 --> 00:03:49,663 at the southwest corner of the fire. 59 00:03:51,300 --> 00:03:53,900 He instructs them to anchor, split up, 60 00:03:53,900 --> 00:03:55,893 and directly attack the flanks. 61 00:03:57,440 --> 00:03:59,580 The dozer arrives to secure the heel 62 00:03:59,580 --> 00:04:02,580 and construct line to the east to prevent fire spread 63 00:04:02,580 --> 00:04:05,233 into the National Conservation area to the south. 64 00:04:06,390 --> 00:04:08,540 A helicopter departs the Boise Airport 65 00:04:08,540 --> 00:04:11,250 at 18:57 on route to the fire 66 00:04:11,250 --> 00:04:14,493 where it picks up the IC for a short reconnaissance flight. 67 00:04:17,030 --> 00:04:20,440 During the flight, BLM Unit C arrives on scene 68 00:04:20,440 --> 00:04:21,903 on Swan Falls Road. 69 00:04:22,880 --> 00:04:27,880 Engines 61 and 83 are assigned to work the north flank. 70 00:04:28,140 --> 00:04:30,513 Engine 09 will work the south flank, 71 00:04:32,170 --> 00:04:35,430 the Unit C crew leaders stays back to assist 29 72 00:04:35,430 --> 00:04:37,193 in holding Swan Falls Road. 73 00:04:38,690 --> 00:04:40,900 - We had to make sure we secure both anchor points 74 00:04:40,900 --> 00:04:42,710 on the north and south flanks, which we did, 75 00:04:42,710 --> 00:04:44,510 I participated in that, 76 00:04:44,510 --> 00:04:47,440 meanwhile my crew is gonna start down the north flank. 77 00:04:47,440 --> 00:04:50,680 At that point in time, the Kuna engines come into play. 78 00:04:50,680 --> 00:04:55,680 - At approximately 19:30 hours, Kuna engines 620 and 622 79 00:04:56,210 --> 00:04:58,483 and their water tender arrive on scene. 80 00:04:59,400 --> 00:05:01,630 The Kuna Rural Fire District captain 81 00:05:01,630 --> 00:05:03,690 instructs the engines to stay together 82 00:05:03,690 --> 00:05:06,803 and work behind the BLM engines on the north flank. 83 00:05:07,960 --> 00:05:10,897 He arrives on scene riding an engine 620 84 00:05:10,897 --> 00:05:13,600 and is dropped off on the road with the water tender 85 00:05:13,600 --> 00:05:17,003 to act as Kuna command, as directed by the fire chief. 86 00:05:18,890 --> 00:05:21,730 The BLM engines begin flanking the north line 87 00:05:21,730 --> 00:05:23,883 westward from Swan Falls Road. 88 00:05:25,490 --> 00:05:27,430 They're held up by a small flare up 89 00:05:27,430 --> 00:05:29,003 as they cross a fence line. 90 00:05:32,860 --> 00:05:36,930 Kuna 620 and 622 drive around them in tandem 91 00:05:36,930 --> 00:05:38,280 and knock down the flames 92 00:05:38,280 --> 00:05:40,463 using nozzles on their front bumpers. 93 00:05:46,237 --> 00:05:50,600 At 20:10 hours, the IC updates his dispatch center, 94 00:05:50,600 --> 00:05:52,426 the engines on both flanks have met 95 00:05:52,426 --> 00:05:57,113 and fire spread has been stopped at approximately 120 acres. 96 00:05:59,420 --> 00:06:02,600 At 20:22 hours, the BLM Dispatch Center 97 00:06:02,600 --> 00:06:05,040 reports a red flag warning for dry lightning 98 00:06:05,040 --> 00:06:06,942 and locally gusty winds. 99 00:06:06,942 --> 00:06:09,775 (light sad music) 100 00:06:11,280 --> 00:06:14,880 At the incident, wind gusts of up to 50 miles per hour 101 00:06:14,880 --> 00:06:16,720 are predicted from a thunderstorm 102 00:06:16,720 --> 00:06:19,323 moving northward at 30 miles per hour. 103 00:06:21,210 --> 00:06:24,050 The IC alerts the engines along the northern perimeter 104 00:06:24,050 --> 00:06:25,963 to anticipate gusty winds. 105 00:06:26,800 --> 00:06:30,510 Kuna 602 and 622 proceed with mop up 106 00:06:30,510 --> 00:06:32,700 westward along the northern flank, 107 00:06:32,700 --> 00:06:36,900 then south around the west end, finally turning east. 108 00:06:36,900 --> 00:06:39,810 They pass by the dozer and BLM engines 109 00:06:39,810 --> 00:06:43,820 ending up at a fence on the southeast corner of the fire. 110 00:06:43,820 --> 00:06:47,283 There, engine 622 meets with engine 29. 111 00:06:48,680 --> 00:06:51,010 They receive direction over 29's radio 112 00:06:51,010 --> 00:06:54,030 to turn around and work back around the fire perimeter 113 00:06:54,030 --> 00:06:55,313 soaking it with water. 114 00:06:56,490 --> 00:06:59,853 Working in tandem, they head west along the southern line. 115 00:07:01,010 --> 00:07:02,853 They continue to the southwest corner, 116 00:07:02,853 --> 00:07:06,950 then hook north where 622 runs out of water. 117 00:07:06,950 --> 00:07:09,930 620 then takes the lead. 118 00:07:09,930 --> 00:07:14,840 At this point, Kuna 622 radios the IC for direction. 119 00:07:14,840 --> 00:07:19,280 The IC instructs 622 to refill with water and stand by 120 00:07:19,280 --> 00:07:21,560 due to the predicted high winds. 121 00:07:21,560 --> 00:07:24,750 622 pulls off the line and drives east 122 00:07:24,750 --> 00:07:28,000 through the burned area towards Swan Falls Road. 123 00:07:28,000 --> 00:07:29,870 Just prior to reaching the road, 124 00:07:29,870 --> 00:07:34,650 622 receives a call from 620 on the agency tactical channel 125 00:07:34,650 --> 00:07:37,180 advising that their vehicle is overheating. 126 00:07:37,180 --> 00:07:39,890 622 instructs them to remove the screen 127 00:07:39,890 --> 00:07:43,350 from the radiator and 620 acknowledges. 128 00:07:43,350 --> 00:07:46,590 Engine 622 continues out to Swan Falls Road 129 00:07:46,590 --> 00:07:48,960 and turns south to meet with their water tender 130 00:07:48,960 --> 00:07:51,770 on the southeast corner of the fire to refill. 131 00:07:51,770 --> 00:07:54,440 Soon after 622 leaves the line, 132 00:07:54,440 --> 00:07:58,840 Kuna 620 passes engines 61 and 67 133 00:07:58,840 --> 00:08:00,510 on the west end of the fire. 134 00:08:00,510 --> 00:08:02,620 No communication is exchanged. 135 00:08:02,620 --> 00:08:05,289 - We do not know if engine 620 136 00:08:05,289 --> 00:08:07,600 actually heard the red flag warning, 137 00:08:07,600 --> 00:08:10,610 they still took the course of action that they did. 138 00:08:10,610 --> 00:08:14,730 They may have known and decided this is what we want to do 139 00:08:14,730 --> 00:08:17,430 and they may had every reason in the world to do that. 140 00:08:18,410 --> 00:08:22,070 - For unknown reasons, 620 then turns north 141 00:08:22,070 --> 00:08:24,190 on a two-track road at an intersection 142 00:08:24,190 --> 00:08:25,993 near the fire's northern perimeter. 143 00:08:27,750 --> 00:08:29,726 They travel northward along the road, 144 00:08:29,726 --> 00:08:33,190 then turn off the two-track and drive northeast 145 00:08:33,190 --> 00:08:36,166 cross-country through heavy sagebrush. 146 00:08:36,166 --> 00:08:39,270 (dramatic music) 147 00:08:39,270 --> 00:08:42,053 At that point, the vehicle stalls. 148 00:08:43,440 --> 00:08:48,440 620 sits immobile 713 feet west of Swan Falls Road 149 00:08:49,090 --> 00:08:52,863 and 1,750 feet north of the fire perimeter. 150 00:08:54,000 --> 00:08:58,210 At 20:46, the fire fanned by strong southerly winds 151 00:08:58,210 --> 00:09:00,820 from a thunderstorm escapes the northern perimeter 152 00:09:00,820 --> 00:09:02,023 at multiple locations. 153 00:09:04,070 --> 00:09:07,320 The BLM Unit C crew leader and the fire investigator 154 00:09:07,320 --> 00:09:10,730 drive north on Swan Falls Road to observe the fire behavior 155 00:09:10,730 --> 00:09:12,683 and scout new control lines. 156 00:09:15,120 --> 00:09:18,160 Here, they witnessed a Kuna engine in the path 157 00:09:18,160 --> 00:09:19,773 of the oncoming flame front. 158 00:09:21,660 --> 00:09:24,760 - I drive down the road to this spot over here 159 00:09:24,760 --> 00:09:26,890 that's marked by the memorial there 160 00:09:26,890 --> 00:09:29,810 and to my horror, I see this engine out there, okay? 161 00:09:29,810 --> 00:09:31,400 It was stopped. 162 00:09:31,400 --> 00:09:34,230 - They repeatedly attempt to radio 620 163 00:09:34,230 --> 00:09:36,910 and Kuna command on the Incident Tactical channel 164 00:09:36,910 --> 00:09:38,373 but receive no response. 165 00:09:39,400 --> 00:09:43,670 At the time, they do not know if the engine is occupied. 166 00:09:43,670 --> 00:09:46,340 - I'm calling, looking for more information, 167 00:09:46,340 --> 00:09:47,860 for more input. 168 00:09:47,860 --> 00:09:49,060 Are they there? 169 00:09:49,060 --> 00:09:50,850 And if they are there, is there gonna be time 170 00:09:50,850 --> 00:09:52,240 for them to jump in my carry all? 171 00:09:52,240 --> 00:09:53,800 We're gonna drive through the fire 172 00:09:53,800 --> 00:09:55,950 'cause I don't think we can drive away from the fire. 173 00:09:55,950 --> 00:09:59,831 I was desperately looking for movement, 174 00:09:59,831 --> 00:10:01,697 movement around the engine, 175 00:10:01,697 --> 00:10:05,320 movement of individuals maybe running for the fence, 176 00:10:05,320 --> 00:10:07,100 running somewhere. 177 00:10:07,100 --> 00:10:11,130 - At 20:49 hours, engine 620 calls Kuna command 178 00:10:11,130 --> 00:10:12,863 on the county radio frequency. 179 00:10:13,917 --> 00:10:17,397 "We're on the north line, we've got fire coming hard, 180 00:10:17,397 --> 00:10:19,007 "this thing has died." 181 00:10:20,170 --> 00:10:23,170 One minute later, 620 calls the commander again 182 00:10:23,170 --> 00:10:24,637 on the same channel. 183 00:10:24,637 --> 00:10:26,847 "It's not going to let us out of here." 184 00:10:28,050 --> 00:10:30,687 The Kuna fire chief then calls, 185 00:10:30,687 --> 00:10:33,970 "What kind of problem do you have?" 186 00:10:33,970 --> 00:10:38,947 Engine 620 replies, "We're surrounded by fire." 187 00:10:39,930 --> 00:10:42,540 The chief asks him to repeat. 188 00:10:42,540 --> 00:10:45,363 The truck has been overtaken by fire. 189 00:10:46,760 --> 00:10:51,263 This is the last radio transmission heard from engine 620. 190 00:10:53,430 --> 00:10:56,823 The fire continues to move rapidly and burn intensely. 191 00:10:57,800 --> 00:10:59,973 Flame lengths exceed 20 feet, 192 00:11:00,850 --> 00:11:04,683 rate of spread is an estimated 560 feet per minute. 193 00:11:05,880 --> 00:11:07,570 It takes only four minutes 194 00:11:07,570 --> 00:11:09,593 for the fire to overrun the truck. 195 00:11:11,660 --> 00:11:13,810 - We tried to organize a strategy 196 00:11:13,810 --> 00:11:15,590 is what if anything can we do to go out there 197 00:11:15,590 --> 00:11:16,750 and see what happened? 198 00:11:16,750 --> 00:11:20,510 Are those firefighters in that vehicle or not? 199 00:11:20,510 --> 00:11:24,460 - Rescue efforts are hindered by fire duration and intensity 200 00:11:24,460 --> 00:11:26,320 blowing smoke and residual heat 201 00:11:26,320 --> 00:11:27,700 render the first few attempts 202 00:11:27,700 --> 00:11:29,950 to reach the engine impossible. 203 00:11:29,950 --> 00:11:31,220 - And so, a couple members, 204 00:11:31,220 --> 00:11:34,470 the Salmon Crew attempted to get out there, it's too hot. 205 00:11:34,470 --> 00:11:37,560 The Kuna commanders are coming up the road 206 00:11:37,560 --> 00:11:38,756 'cause they know there's an incident 207 00:11:38,756 --> 00:11:41,050 and they're going to assess that situation 208 00:11:41,050 --> 00:11:43,513 and see what they can do to provide a rescue. 209 00:11:44,770 --> 00:11:49,770 - At 21:21 hours, engine 620 is still on fire. 210 00:11:50,090 --> 00:11:53,150 Kuna 622 is the first to reach the vehicle 211 00:11:53,150 --> 00:11:55,623 and extinguishes the flames to gain access. 212 00:11:56,710 --> 00:12:00,853 622 then notifies Kuna command of two fatalities. 213 00:12:04,210 --> 00:12:06,043 The fire continues to burn. 214 00:12:08,240 --> 00:12:10,910 When contained, approximately five hours later, 215 00:12:10,910 --> 00:12:14,103 the Point Fire has consumed over 10,000 acres. 216 00:12:18,920 --> 00:12:22,693 - So that was the event at that point in time. 217 00:12:24,700 --> 00:12:27,493 And it was a tough time. 218 00:12:28,845 --> 00:12:31,595 (soft sad music) 219 00:12:58,700 --> 00:13:01,160 - The deaths of Bill Buttram and Josh Oliver 220 00:13:01,160 --> 00:13:03,730 were not the result of a single circumstance, 221 00:13:03,730 --> 00:13:06,903 but the consequence of a chain of unfortunate events. 222 00:13:10,480 --> 00:13:13,570 Individually, each factor was survivable 223 00:13:13,570 --> 00:13:15,860 but when their departure from the safety zone 224 00:13:15,860 --> 00:13:18,700 and the mechanical failure of engine 620 225 00:13:18,700 --> 00:13:21,070 compounded with communication failures 226 00:13:21,070 --> 00:13:23,890 and 50 mile per hour outflow winds, 227 00:13:23,890 --> 00:13:25,753 the combination proved fatal. 228 00:13:34,580 --> 00:13:37,640 The Point Fire accident investigation set forth 229 00:13:37,640 --> 00:13:39,800 numerous recommendations to strengthen 230 00:13:39,800 --> 00:13:41,920 the collaborative efforts of agencies 231 00:13:41,920 --> 00:13:44,423 and cooperators in fighting wildfires. 232 00:13:45,560 --> 00:13:48,973 The effects of these recommendations are apparent today. 233 00:14:17,850 --> 00:14:19,560 - I believe that the Point Fire 234 00:14:19,560 --> 00:14:22,540 and the unfortunate results of thereof 235 00:14:22,540 --> 00:14:24,133 was probably the catalyst 236 00:14:24,133 --> 00:14:26,520 that brought together our community. 237 00:14:26,520 --> 00:14:28,550 To say there's a better way, 238 00:14:28,550 --> 00:14:31,090 we do not have to fight fires this way 239 00:14:31,090 --> 00:14:36,090 and collaboration and cooperation is how we now fight fires.