Incident Name: Gentille Fire in NE Lake County FL
Date: burnover date: May 31, 1989; death date of a Donald J Armstrong: August 28, 1989
Personnel: Donald J Armstrong
Age: 39
Agency/Organization: Florida Division of Forestry, Tallahassee FL
Position: firefighter, ranger, fire plow operator
Summary: On May 31, 1989, Forest Ranger Don Armstrong was initial attacking the Gentille Fire in NE Lake County FL burning in medium palmetto, gallberry and pine fuels and with variable winds. He was plowing on a new fire plow along the left flank when the head switched right, he adjusted his plow’s direction, then the fire switched back left, coming directly toward him. Donald Armstrong deployed his fire shelter behind the fire plow in a clean portion of the fireline. After being burned over, he moved his location taking his fire shelter with him. He was seriously burned. He was medevaced to Orlando Regional Hospital where he was treated for burns over 60-70% of his body. A death certificate indicates that a Donald J Armstrong died on August 28, 1989. It is unclear if this is the same person.
Maps
Sec 37, T 195, R 29E Lake Co
Reports, Documentation, Lessons Learned
- Florida Department of Forestry: Donald J Armstrong Burn Incident Report Gentille Fire Review, Fire Shelter Deployment Incident, released October 25, 1989
- US Social Security Death Index for a Donald J Armstrong
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Contributors to this article: Mellie, RJM
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