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2020 WOR Day 2 Fuel Geysering Lessons Learned

By the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center

Rag over fuel capBrushing Project - 2014

While working on a brushing project, a hand crew member was injured when saw fuel sprayed onto his face and into his eyes.

Lesson from Report: “If the fuel is suspected to be pressurized, open the fuel cap while holding a rag—or other covering—over it. Hold the saw away from the face and look away while opening the fuel cap.”

 

Firefighter's shirt front viewWillow Peak Fire - 2015

After cooling for 10 minutes, the saw would not start. He raised the chainsaw and twisted the tool-less cap of the gas tank. The tank was pressurized, which caused gas to spew out as a shooting stream with an associated vapor cloud. The gas saturated him and established a path of fuel that led to the burning snag.

Second- and third-degree burns on his face, upper torso, arms, and airway.

From Report: “We continue to learn the hard way. There is a lack of recognition within the firefighting community of prior incidents. A report of a fatality or serious injury can intensify the circulation of knowledge more than a “near miss” report.”

 

Pioneer Fire - 2016

 Saw “seemed like it was out of fuel.” Sawyer walked away from the fireline and opened the cap. Fuel geysered and sprayed the sawyer and his chainsaw. The sawyer’s quick reaction of using his gloved hand to block the geyser protected his face, but fuel along the bottom of his arm and inside his Nomex shirt ignited.

Second degree burns to lower arm.

From Report: “We read the Lessons Learned Center’s postings, but before this, I really didn’t pay much attention to them. I will now take them more seriously.”

 

The sawyer's gloved hand and chaps soaked in saw gas from the fuel geyser incident.Brushing Project - 2020

Suspicious of a vapor-lock, he set the saw aside for continued cooling. Several minutes later, the sawyer cautiously opened the saw’s fuel tank – a geyser occurred. Sawyer had anticipated the geyser and was able to reduce the volatility by careful placement of his hand over the fuel cap as he opened it. Even so, this incident still resulted in his (gloved) hand and chaps becoming soaked in saw gas.

From Report: “When I eventually chose to open the fuel tank with the intention of inspecting both the fuel and the filter, I was cognizant of the potential for a fuel-geyser. This awareness was due to repeated discussions of this hazard over the last few years. Thanks to the repeated LLC discussions, I have developed a habit of covering the fuel cap with a gloved hand when opening.”

Discussion:  How can you turn lessons into learning?

 

Study the lessons. Take ACTION. Cover the cap.

 



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NWCG Latest Announcements

The Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Status/Check-In Recorder (SCKN)

Date: August 27, 2024
Contact: Incident Planning Subcommittee 

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Status/Check-In Recorder, PMS 350-32, NWCG Position Task Book for Status/Check-In Recorder (SCKN), PMS 311-32, and Checking In Resources Customer Service Job Aid, J-111 are now available.

The Performance Support Package, which for SCKN includes the Incident Position Standards, Next Generation Position Task Book, and job aid were developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. The Performance Support Package will support trainees, those qualified in the position, and evaluators.

References:

NWCG Status/Check-In Recorder Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Status/Check-In Recorder, PMS 350-32

NWCG Position Task Book for Status/Check-In Recorder (SCKN), PMS 311-32

Checking In Resources Customer Service Job Aid, J-111

The Next Generation Position Task Book and Incident Position Standards are now available for Safety Officer, Field (SOFF)

Date: July 26, 2024
Contact: Risk Management Committee 

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Safety Officer, Field, PMS 350-81 and NWCG Position Task Book for Safety Officer, Field (SOFF), PMS 311-81 are now available.

The Safety Officer, Field (SOFF) is responsible for monitoring operations on an incident from a risk management perspective to provide for the welfare of incident resources and the public. The new Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort.

References:

NWCG Safety Officer, Field (SOFF) Position

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Safety Officer, Field, PMS 350-81

NWCG Position Task Book for Safety Officer, Field (SOFF), PMS 311-81

Updated NWCG Standards for Electronic Documentation (eDoc), PMS 277

Date: July 25, 2024
Contact: Incident Planning Subcommittee 

The Incident Planning Subcommittee has updated the NWCG Standards for Electronic Documentation (eDoc), PMS 277.

The NWCG Standards for Electronic Documentation (eDoc) establishes the standards for collection and retention of records on wildland fires. This July 2024 update will provide incident management teams the most current standards required to maintain incident records and submit them to host units at the close of an incident.

References:

NWCG Standards for Electronic Documentation (eDoc), PMS 277

eDoc Box Directory (zip file)

NWCG Off-Highway Vehicle Typing Standard Request for Comment

Date: July 24, 2024
Contact: Mobile Fire Equipment Subcommittee 

The Mobile Fire Equipment Subcommittee has released Equipment Bulletin 24-002 NWCG Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Typing Standard - Request for Comment. This bulletin outlines the proposed NWCG OHV typing standard, as well as the business need for establishing the standard. Comments on the proposed standard will be accepted through August 15th using the comment form linked below.

References:

ETC-EB-2024-02: NWCG Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Typing Standard - Request for Comment

NWCG Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Typing Standard Comment Form