Near miss on the Route Fire, firefighters trapped

On September 11, 2021 dozens of wildland firefighters working to suppress the Route Fire north of Los Angeles were surrounded by fire and temporarily entrapped by flames. Two firefighters received treatment for injuries in a hospital burn unit. This video produced by the US Forest Service tells part of the story of the near miss.

[brianr.]

As a retired firefighter, I think i can honestly say id rather fight a structure fire any day over a wild fire. While firefighters all over the world are heros, its these hotshots, forestry crews that are the real superheros. God bless to all of us, past present and future firefighters. Especially you men and women working those wildfire jobs! The world needs more people Like these guys.

[jonquinones]

I was the engine operator that day. This day still pops into my mind every once and awhile, I still question it all. This incident was a lesson learned and the cherry on the cake for leaving the forest service and continuing my life elsewhere. I am ultimately glad none of us were seriously injured.

For those still out there on the fireline, be safe out there!

[timothydamann]

Now that’s leadership. Taking accountability for everyone not just your crew. This is how you do it

[ryancrazy]

"i ditched the saw" "Fuck it" might not have even realized at that moment how close to disaster they were. Engine boss was a badass

[BryceAWD]

Capt Tom Guzman took control during chaos, and saved lives.
Not many people could maintain composure in a situation as terrifying as this.
This man is a true hero.

[rsanoian]

As a retired US Forest Service firefighter I remember a fire during the LA fires in the 90's when my Captain made the decision for our Engine to stay with two dozers on top of a mountain that the fire had jumped lines below and was headed our way. Command requested all engines to descend the fire road which was over grown and two engines ended up getting burned over. We had enough time to have the dozers make a small clearing and we all rode the burn over out inside the engine with wet bandanas over our face and so much smoke inside you could not see the guy next to you. After that incident had even more respect for my captain and the decision he made and not obeying a direct order.

[Skippy]

Situations like these is why these wildland engines need cab sprays and fire shields on the windows of the engines like we have in Australia. These added safety devices ensure the truck cab stays cool as well as wheel well sprays to ensure your tires don't melt so you can punch it out of there. But hats off to these guys they did an outstanding job packing into the engine with the little to no time they had, those hand tool crews are a different breed of firefighters, the breed with the biggest balls

[fireheartclan]

If anyone ever asked “just how many firemen can fit into a truck”
This has proven the answer is “everyone that needs to be at the moment.”
Honestly hats off to them all, since that situation is one they will never forget, and all things considered they were all quite calm. Though it also looks like a situation in which “the panic comes later, now’s not the time.”

[debbie]

I don't know what else to say, but a heartfelt 'Thank you'... Those words don't even come close to describing how much respect I have for you heroes. You put your lives on the line to keep others safe.

[Zeep_goblin]

For those who may be wondering what the big deal was, if you've ever had a camp fire and sit to close and then realize your face is burning, it's like that, but you don't have to be close at all with a fire that size, it will cook you as if you are just above the coals of the firepit in that scenario.

[rjjr]

Holy shit not a second to spare! You could hear the desperation in their voices as the heat began to burn them. Thank you guys for all you do!

[laughinghawk]

As someone who was saved by firefighters as a child from a house fire, this is so incredibly terrifying. God bless firefighters.

[moneymaker]

What he did, saved countless lifes, and his own. Truly remarkable

[austinduvall]

As a former volunteer firefighter. My heart goes out to this man for making sure all the men under his command were safe before he himself sought shelter. I feel like this video should be shown everywhere all the time maybe then people will understand the dangers of forest fires better and evacuate the area sooner as well as making sure when they go camping or anything that they do all they can to prevent fires and lessen the chance of this to ever happen.

[alishanmao]

Salutes to these people, they put their lives on the line to save ours.

[niagarawarrior]

Amazing that so many fully equipped firefighters could fit inside the rig.
hats off to these guys,

Its great to see this recorded, i think its important for more people to see exactly whats happening out there, as well as the people who are sent out to fight the fires.

[livingonthetyne]

It's insane how fast it goes from a clear road to an absolute inferno... terrifying, just goes to show how dangerous this is even for the brave firefighters.

[gallofourteen]

wow! its scary how near, but but also how far they are from the safety of a unburning area. these guys truly are hero's.

[joeferraro]

There should be more people like you in this country, it would make for a better way of living..

[danimalreviews]

as a 36 year firefighter, I take my hat off to you wildland guys