1959 10/18 CA Phillip Chavez -Woodwardia Fire

Incident Name: Woodwardia Incident, Big Tujunga Canyon. Angles National Forest
Date: 10/18/1959
Personnel: Phillip Chavez from the Zuni Nation in NM
Age: 26
Agency/Organization: BIA working with the US Forest Service
Position: Zuni firefighter

Summary: Phillip Chavez, 26, a Zuni Indian from Zuni, NM reportedly “became ill and died” on 10/18/1959, two days after an airtanker accidently dropped a load of firefighting chemicals on a crew of Zuni firefighters. Leo Poblano another Zuni firefighter fell down a cliff and died. The other four were injured. It is probable that Phillip Chavez’s death was also attributable to this accidental retardant drop given that the official NWCG Record says 2 firefighters were killed.

Maps

Fire hotspot location: mountain saddle between Josephine Peak and Strawberry Peak, Angeles National Forest

{mosmap lat=’34.281476’|lon=’-118.141023’|marker=’0’|text=’HOTSPOT: mountain saddle between Josephine Peak and Strawberry Peak’}

{mosmap lat=’34.252503’|lon=’-118.192573’|marker=’0’|text=’LLC Database -near the accident location’}

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Reports, Documentation, Lessons Learned

Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center: Retardant Drop Record, the date is incorrect or the date given to the media and CA Death Records for Leo’s death is incorrect:
Phillip Chavez named as fallen:
Leo Poblano named as fallen, 4 other unnamed firefighters injured in the retardant drop:
California Death Index: Phillip Chavez