July 25, 2002 @ 5:30 p.m.

Additional information has been made available regarding the shelter deployment that took place on the Toolbox Complex yesterday at 3:40 p.m. Twenty members of a USFS contract crew, Ferguson #53, deployed their fire shelters in a pre-made safety zone, located on the forest approximately one mile west of Highway 31 and 250 yards east of road 2901 at the northeastern edge of the fire. Later that evening, eleven members of the crew were taken to a Bend hospital for evaluation. Two individuals were treated for minor burns – one person had burns on his ear and hand, and the other suffered a burn on an elbow. Other crew members were treated for things such as breathing-related ailments and a twisted back. All were treated and released that evening, and returned to the fire camp. Six additional crew members were treated at the Medical Unit at the fire camp for minor injuries.

The Ferguson crew was line support for a burn operation taking place near the front of the fire. Two other crews, the Gila Hot Shots and the Chugach crew from Alaska, were also working in the area. Those two crews walked out to the road as fire activity increased, whereas the Ferguson crew retreated to the safety zone.

Initially it appears as if all policies and procedures were followed, but an investigation is currently underway. Professional interviewers began meeting with those involved in the incident this morning. A team of investigators from the region will arrive at the fire camp later tonight.

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