Two in fire crew OK after accident

Published 11:05 pm Monday, July 9, 2007

WENATCHEE – Two Snohomish County firefighters escaped serious injury Sunday after a water bucket dangling from a helicopter smashed into their truck while they battled a blaze raging in Eastern Washington.

The firefighters and 15 others from the county were sent Sunday morning to the Wenatchee blaze, where they were met with extreme fire conditions, said Travis Hots, fire chief for Snohomish County Fire District 22 in the Getchell area.

There was an abundance of dry fuels, temperatures were hot and the fire was in an area where development has crept into the woods, Hots said.

A veteran of fighting wildfires from Getchell reported that conditions were the worst he’d seen.

“He said if they’d disengaged they would have lost eight houses just in his area,” Hots said.

Chelan County fire officials reported that the fire has burned more than 5,200 acres.

The sheriff’s office there on Sunday advised people in the area to evacuate.

“A lot of people’s homes were at stake that’s why we have Snohomish County resources over there,” Hots said.

Firefighters from Getchell, Gold Bar, Arlington and Sultan drove over Sunday morning and fought the blaze into early Monday morning. Three of the fire districts also sent over equipment.

An investigation is underway in the accident involving the helicopter and brush truck, Hots said.

The water bucket smashed through the truck’s windshield, spraying the firefighters with glass.

“The two firefighters were shaken, but they weren’t seriously hurt,” Hots said. “I’m just glad they are OK.”

The truck, which carries about 200 gallons of water and forestry equipment, was towed back to Snohomish County on Monday to be repaired and possibly sent back to Eastern Washington, Hots said.

No other Snohomish County firefighters were expected to be sent over to the Easy Street fire.

Chelan County officials on Monday reported that the blaze was under control, although there was some concern about forecasts for rising winds and temperatures.

The fire may have been started by a man playing with fireworks, authorities said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.