Incident Name: Ferguson Fire on the Sierra National Forest
Date: 7/14/2018
Personnel: Braden Varney
Age: 36
Agency/Organization: Joint CAL FIRE and United States Forest Service
Position: Heavy Fire Equipment Operator (HFEO 1), firefighter
Summary: Firefighter/Equipment Operator Braden Varney was assigned to the Madera-Mariposa CAL FIRE unit, which has been fighting the 130-acre Ferguson Fire in the Sierra National Forest. On 7/14/2018, Firefighter/Equipment Operator Varney was working on a ridge to create a fire break. The bulldozer Varney was operating overturned and rolled down the ridge causing Varney to suffer fatal injuries. The wreckage was spotted by airplane on 07/15/2018 and crews reached the site and removed Varney’s body on 07/16/2018. The accident is being investigated by Cal/OSHA.
Braden Varney
Maps
The accident site is in the central portion of Mariposa County, southwest of the community of El Portal and north of the community of Jerseydale, California. The accident site is located off Hites Cove Trail, near Marble Point, above the South Fork of the Merced River.
Incident Location: Mariposa County, near the west end of Yosemite National Park and the Sierra National Forest. (U.S. National Grid: U.S. National Grid: 11S KB 601 682 (DD: 37.630, -119.718))
Reports, Documentation, Lessons Learned
- CAL FIRE: Green Sheet / Blue Sheet
Wildlandfire.com Links:
Media Articles and Reports
- Wildfire Reported Near Yosemite National Park in Mariposa County – Ferguson Fire7/14/2018 | Sierra Sun Times
- Video from Ferguson Fire Community Meeting in El Portal on Wednesday, July 18, 2018 – 2018-07-1807/18/2018 | Sierra Sun Times
- Deadly Ferguson Fire rages across steep terrain7/18/2018 | Redwood News, KIEM Channel 3
- Mariposa County, Ca., The deadly Ferguson Fire is threatening more than 100 structures in Mariposa County7/18/2018 | Redwood News, KIEM Channel 3
At more than 17,319 acres in size, the brush and timber fire is less than 5% contained. It is moving along steep terrain according to Cal Fire, closing Highway 140, 1.9 miles east of Midpines. The fire started Friday night around 8:30 p.m. It’s now established in the bottom of Sweetwater Creek. Crews are fighting to hold containment lines to protect the communities of Jerseydale, Mariposa Pines and Yosemite West. 36-year-old Braden Varney was killed this weekend by the Ferguson Fire. The 10 year Calfire veteran was killed while driving a bulldozer out of the fire. His efforts were protecting a nearby community. (more about evacuations, etc at the link)
Photos, Videos, & Tributes
- Mariposa County Residents Show Support for CAL FIRE HFEO Braden Varney in Procession Through Catheys Valley2018-07-18 | Sierra Sun Times
- CAL FIRE Announces: Celebration of Life for CAL FIRE HFEO Braden Varney on Monday, July 23, 2018 – 2018-07-18
- USFA Memorial Database: Braden Varney
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