Report On Twisp River Fire Fatalities

[slowp]

I didn't expect anything for a few years, but here is this.

Published in the Yakima Herald.

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/st...cle_443b603e-9024-11e5-b8f4-6b6cfcaeca24.html

 

[madhatte]

First thoughts: LCES

1) Lookouts -- where were they, who were they, and when did they see the change in fire behavior? Did they report it as soon as possible? How?

2) Communications -- clogged channel. Why were the divisions not broken out more effectively? How did the firefighters not know that the road was already evacuated?

3) Escape Routes -- I understand that if the lookouts failed, the escape routes did too. But, why did they get this deep into structure triage without a good plan for escape?

4) Safety Zones -- why were they reliant enough on the engine's nimbleness that they had no safety zone?

I will have to read more to understand these things. They are just my first impression.

 

[slowp]

On the weather: Here is one explanation. You will need to scroll down to Was The Fatal Fire In Twisp Predictable?.

http://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2015_08_01_archive.html

 

[madhatte]

OK, so the wind shift should have been briefed that morning based on the forecast. That's good. I still want to know more about the command structure and lookouts.

 

[slowp]

I suspect there were no lookouts and not much structure. That fire broke when everywhere was on fire and crews were scarce. I realize that is not an excuse, but I'll bet it was reality. But maybe we will learn about this later?

 

[madhatte]

I hope so. I want to digest the Lessons Learned, at the very least.

 

[slowp]

A video. Also, there is supposed to be a more detailed report out there, but I sure can't find it.

 

[slowp]

The more detailed report may be what I already posted. But here is the facebook link that says it exists.

https://www.facebook.com/bellevue.wildfire

 

[madhatte]

Here it is, copied from the link in the video.

(reading it now, will discuss later)