Incident Name: McNalley Fire Rehab, Inyo National Forest
Date: 7/19/2003
Personnel: Gwen Soltis
Age:
Agency/Organization: US Forest Service
Position:
Summary: Gwen Soltis — the team leader of a 4-person erosion control and rehab crew following the McNalley Fire — died in her tent on 7/19/2003 in the Jordan Hotsprings area of the Golden Trout Wilderness.
from the 24-hr Report: The crew began their tour on July 15, 2003, and was scheduled to complete the tour on July 24, 2003. On July 19, 2003, between 0400 and 0430, a 40” diameter, approximately 136 foot tall , dead Jeffrey Pine tree fell and struck the victim while sleeping in her tent. The tree did not show signs of any fire damage, but apparently had root rot. The wounds to the victim suggest that she succumbed to her injuries instantaneously.
The preliminary investigation indicate s that the crew had current Job Hazard Analysis, communication and evacuation plans in place. The crew used them effectively.
Maps
the Jordan Hotsprings area of the Golden Trout Wilderness, Inyo NF
{mosmap lat=’36.229492’|lon=’-118.301823’|marker=’0’|text=’General Accident Location’}
Reports, Documentation, Lessons Learned
- US Forest Service: 24-hour Report
Wildlandfire.com Links:
Media Articles and Reports
Photos, Videos, & Tributes
Contributors to this article:
Please support the Wildland Firefighter Foundation
