Kentucky firefighter seriously injured during wildfire!

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KENTUCKY FIREFIGHTER SERIOUSLY INJURED, BURNED AND UNCONSCIOUS IN THE HOSPITAL FROM WILDLAND FIRE OPERATIONS


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Wednesday, September 8, 2010 A Kentucky Wildland Firefighter has been seriously injured with burns and blunt force trauma yesterday morning while working a 12-acre wildfire in Livingston County. Don Lam, Forest Ranger Technician for the Kentucky Division of Forestry is currently in serious condition at Deaconess Hospital in Evansville after being airlifted following the accident. Initial investigations report that Ranger Lam was struck by a rolling log, a burning snag approximately 10 ft in length that broke loose and rolled off a bluff. The impact has left Ranger Lam unconscious and with serious injuries including second degree burns.

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more information

A wildland firefighter was injured Tuesday morning while working a 12-acre wildfire in Livingston County near smithland.

Don Lam, Forest Ranger Technician for the Kentucky Division of Forestry (KDF), is currently in serious condition at Deaconess Hospital in Evansville after being airlifted following the accident. Preliminary investigations report that Lam was struck from a rolling log—a burning snag approximately 10 ft in length that broke loose and rolled off a bluff. The impact has left Lam unconscious and with serious injuries including second degree burns.

“Our employees face extreme risk when responding to wildfires such as this one,” said Leah MacSwords, director for the Kentucky Division of Forestry. “We are very concerned about Don’s condition and we will be investigating the incident and pursuing enforcement options in an effort to prevent future accidents from occurring. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Don and his family.”

The wildfire spread from a burning debris pile on a construction site owned by River Oaks Timberland Management. The site is currently being cleared for development by FCE Construction and Excavation. The burn pile, compounded with hot, dry and windy conditions resulted in an escaped wildfire burning approximately 12 acres of adjacent woods. The wildfire continues to burn today as forestry officials consider further actions to take in order to contain the fire. Livingston County has had a burn ban in effect intermittently since Aug. 9 and is currently experiencing Level 1 drought conditions. It is not certain at this time whether the burn ban was in effect when the wildfire began. In light of a possible burn ban violation and letting the fire escape, forestry officials will pursue enforcement action against the responsible party and seek suppression costs for containing the fire.

Although fall forest fire season officially begins Oct. 1, forestry officials would like to remind citizens that recent drought conditions should not be underestimated and that the potential for wildfire can occur any time of year. Officials recommend citizens to be aware of all outdoor burning laws, to take extreme caution while burning woody debris and to avoid burning on hot, dry, windy days.

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24 hour summary report

Kentucky Division of Forestry
24 Hour Preliminary Summary Report of Serious KDF Injury



Livingston County
September 7, 2010
Incident Name: Scotts Chapel Road Fire

This Preliminary Summary Report is intended as an aid in accident prevention, and to provide factual information from the first 24 hours of the incident. Information contained within may be subject to revision as further investigation is conducted, and other information is received.

Synopsis
The following information is a preliminary summary of a serious injury that occurred while conducting wildland fire suppression activities in Livingston County within the Kentucky Division of Forestry’s Western District.

Narrative
At approximately 1138 hours on September 7, 2010 a KDF Forest Ranger Technician engaged in fire suppression activities was struck in the head by a snag that had fallen and rolled downhill over a small bluff and struck the employee in the head. The employee was knocked out and sustained a serious head injury, fractured hip, bruises, and a 2nd degree leg burn on his calves from the burning snag. The employee is currently in a hospital ICU.

Due to the cliffs, bluffs, and snags present the fire is currently being monitored.

Incident Review Team
An accident investigation team will investigate and produce an accident report for use as an education and preventive tool.

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Smithland is about 30 miles or so up HWY 60 from Paducah,Ky.
Hope Forest Ranger Technician Lam will have a speedy recovery.