Cramer Fire
from the Forest Service, similar to a News Release for firefighters

Issue

The Cramer Fire, located 34 miles west-northwest of Salmon, Idaho, on the Salmon-Challis National Forest is approximately 220 acres. It is burning in extremely steep terrain on the Salmon River front below Long Tom Lookout. The fire has potential to spread to the east; it is bordered on the west by the Long Tom Fire of 1985.

Background

At approximately 1700 hours on Tuesday, July 22, the Intermountain Regional Office was notified of an incident on the Cramer Fire where extreme fire behavior was experienced causing “blow-up” conditions.

Two firefighters were involved in the incident resulting in two fatalities. Names of the individuals involved in the incident have not been released at this time. The Forest Service and local officials have notified the families.

A Type I Incident Management Team (Martin) has been ordered to manage the operations of the fire; they should be in place on Wednesday, July 23. A National Serious Accident Investigation Team has been sent to the Cramer incident as a fact-finding team to determine what took place on-the-ground.

A Critical Incident Team is being mobilized to assist the Forest in dealing with the stress of the incident. A National Communications Team is being organized at this time to assist with communications work associated with the Cramer Incident.

CRAMER INCIDENT

July 22, 2003

2200 hours

Points –

1. During the afternoon of July 22, 2003, an incident occurred on the Cramer Fire, a Type III incident on the North Fork District of the Salmon-Challis National Forest. Two firefighters were involved in the incident resulting in two fatalities. Names of the individuals have not been released at this time. The Forest Service and local officials have notified the families.
2. At this time we cannot confirm what took place but will do so as soon as it becomes available. This information is preliminary and subject to change.
3. The Forest Service has requested a National Serious Accident Investigation Team be sent to the incident to determine what took place on the ground. This team is a fact-finding” team not a “fault-finding” team.
4. At the same time the Forest Service has sent a National Type I Incident Management Team (IMT) to manage the Cramer Fire Incident.
5. The Type I Team will be briefed and begin operations on July 23, 2003.
6. The Forest Service is working and will continue to work with all cooperating agencies and local officials.
7. A National Communications Team is being organized at this time to assist with communications work associated with the Cramer Incident to ensure clear, timely and accurate communication of findings of the investigation team.
8. There are three other active wildland fires on the Salmon-Challis National Forest, which are being managed by Incident Management Teams.