Incident Name: One of the Western Oregon fires, probably the Rock Creek Fire in Coos County
Date: 9/13/1929
Personnel: Alvin Peoples and another unnamed firefighter
Age: 18
Agency/Organization: Oregon Department of Forestry
Position: firefighters
Summary: Of a partial crew of 5 wildland firefighters hit by a flaming, falling tree, one unnamed firefighter was killed outright. A second firefighter — Alvin Peoples — was bruised and cut up, and the others were OK. Alvin declined to go to a Eugene hospital for treatment. He thought he was alright. He got his cuts and contusions patched up at Mabel, Oregon and headed home to Eugene. His mother found him several hours later when she returned home, dead.
(This is a very sad story for me even all these years later. Alvin’s death was unnecessary. Crew mates, you need to know that you stick with your buddy and hand them off to others who will have their best interests at heart… and have them checked out. When head injury is involved and the person could have a subdural hematoma or some other abnormality, or injury, they’re not thinking straight. Someone who cares needs to “have their back.” In addition, most 18-year-olds don’t have much experience with what could be terribly wrong as the brain swells. Mellie)
Maps
given first aid at Mabel, Oregon, but died at Lane
{mosmap lat=’44.214768’|lon=’-122.825826’|marker=’0’|text=’Mabel, OR’}
Reports, Documentation, Lessons Learned
- Oregon Death Index: Alvin F Peoples
- Alvin Peoples named as fallen; another firefighter who died is unnamed
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