Expanded(-hour-aftertheteamarrives)Briefing-Panther.docVIP

6730 – Expanded (72-hour – after the team arrives) Briefing 2 Panther Fire, Happy Camp RD, Klamath NF United States Department of AgricultureForest ServiceSouthern Research Station 200 WT Weaver Blvd. Asheville NC 28804-3454 828-257-4832 Voice 828-257-4840 Fax 828-259-0503 TDD It’s Cool to Be Safe Printed on Recycled Paper File Code:6730Date:July 31, 2008Route To: Subject:Expanded (72-hour - after the team arrives) Briefing - Panther Fire, Happy Camp RD, Klamath NF To:Director, OSOH, Washington Office  THE Following Information is Preliminary and Subject to Change Location: Panther Fire, Happy Camp RD, Klamath NF, California Date of occurrence: July 26, 2008 Time of occurrence: Approximately 1515 Hours Team leader: Jim Reaves Mission: Fire Suppression Activity: Scouting fire to merge Panther into the Siskiyou Complex, the following day Number injured: None Number of fatalities: One Narrative: The Panther fire was initially identified on July 23, 2008. The Type 4 incident command organization transitioned to a Type 3 due to the increased complexity of the fire. On July 26, the Type 3 Incident Commander requested that the fire Incident command organization be elevated due to the continued increase in complexity. Two firefighters who assigned by the Siskiyou Complex, arrived to conduct a routine scouting mission prior to this transition. The two firefighters involved in this accident were Division Group Supervisors (DIVS). They were briefed by the Type 3 Incident Commander on scene and upon arrival at the fire. Following this briefing the DIVS conducted a survey of the fire-line that had been constructed in prior operational periods.  While conducting this survey their escape route was compromised by fire. One of the DIVS escaped the advancing fire by running down a steep north slope covered with extremely heavy brush. The second DIV remained in place and successfully deployed his shelter, but was la