Lessons from 2023: Entrapments

This article originally appeared in the 2024 Winter Issue of Two More Chains.

In 2023 the LLC recorded 12 separate entrapment events.

These entrapments occurred in the following scenarios:

• 9 during initial attack engine operations.
• 2 during initial attack dozer operations.
• 1 during firing operations from a UTV on a prescribed fire.

Seven of the entrapments in 2023 (58%) involved equipment becoming immobilized and impacted by fire (5 engines, 1 Dozer, 1 UTV).

Several of the lessons from these incidents focused on the difficult decision about when to stay with immobilized equipment or try to make an escape. Other lessons highlighted the need for well-practiced engine protection measures.

Equipment becoming immobilized during fire operations is obviously a dangerous scenario. We see reports of this occuring almost every year. The reasons for equipment becoming immobilized most commonly involves getting stuck in various terrain (sand, rocks, ditches) or some sort of mechanical failure.

Immobilized equipment leading to entrapment overwhelmingly occurs during initial attack.

Engine Entrapments

2019-2023

Practice Engine Protection!

You never know when you might need it. And you want to be very good at it if you find yourself in a “cut and run” or “stay and defend” situation.

Discuss what factors you will consider when making the decision to stay or to go. Know that this decision will be way more difficult than you can imagine!