Merle Lee Collins- Bull Dozer Operator, Oliver and Oliver Logging Co, Thompson Falls, MT
The Sundance fire started on August 23 and was being managed by the Priest Creek Timber Protection Association. On August 31 the fire was transitioned to a Forest Service Team. For an unknown reason, the radios that had been ordered by the Team were delayed for an extra 24 hours. On September 1st, Sector Boss Lu Rodarte was briefed and able to scout the area by air, before being dropped at his sector. Working with him was Merle Lee Collins operating a dozer; this was their only transportation, Rodarte did not have a vehicle. At about 1600 hrs an updated weather forecast was relayed to ICP, but since Rodarte and Collins didn't have radios, they did not receive that information. The fire experienced sudden gusts of up to 60 mph, and the fire moved where they did not expect; the 2 firefighters tried to use their escape routes, but never made it to their safety zone. The area was inaccessible, and the bodies were not recovered for 2 days; Rodarte and Collins were found underneath the dozer, neither had fire shelters.
The Sundance fire started on August 23 and was being managed by the Priest Creek Timber Protection Association. On August 31 the fire was transitioned to a Forest Service Team. For an unknown reason, the radios that had been ordered by the Team were delayed for an extra 24 hours. On September 1st, Sector Boss Lu Rodarte was briefed and able to scout the area by air, before being dropped at his sector. Working with him was Merle Lee Collins operating a dozer; this was their only transportation, Rodarte did not have a vehicle. At about 1600 hrs an updated weather forecast was relayed to ICP, but since Rodarte and Collins didn't have radios, they did not receive that information. The fire experienced sudden gusts of up to 60 mph, and the fire moved where they did not expect; the 2 firefighters tried to use their escape routes, but never made it to their safety zone. The area was inaccessible, and the bodies were not recovered for 2 days; Rodarte and Collins were found underneath the dozer, neither had fire shelters.
Merle Lee Collins- Bull Dozer Operator, Oliver and Oliver Logging Co, Thompson Falls, MT
The Sundance fire started on August 23 and was being managed by the Priest Creek Timber Protection Association. On August 31 the fire was transitioned to a Forest Service Team. For an unknown reason, the radios that had been ordered by the Team were delayed for an extra 24 hours. On September 1st, Sector Boss Lu Rodarte was briefed and able to scout the area by air, before being dropped at his sector. Working with him was Merle Lee Collins operating a dozer; this was their only transportation, Rodarte did not have a vehicle. At about 1600 hrs an updated weather forecast was relayed to ICP, but since Rodarte and Collins didn't have radios, they did not receive that information. The fire experienced sudden gusts of up to 60 mph, and the fire moved where they did not expect; the 2 firefighters tried to use their escape routes, but never made it to their safety zone. The area was inaccessible, and the bodies were not recovered for 2 days; Rodarte and Collins were found underneath the dozer, neither had fire shelters.
The Sundance fire started on August 23 and was being managed by the Priest Creek Timber Protection Association. On August 31 the fire was transitioned to a Forest Service Team. For an unknown reason, the radios that had been ordered by the Team were delayed for an extra 24 hours. On September 1st, Sector Boss Lu Rodarte was briefed and able to scout the area by air, before being dropped at his sector. Working with him was Merle Lee Collins operating a dozer; this was their only transportation, Rodarte did not have a vehicle. At about 1600 hrs an updated weather forecast was relayed to ICP, but since Rodarte and Collins didn't have radios, they did not receive that information. The fire experienced sudden gusts of up to 60 mph, and the fire moved where they did not expect; the 2 firefighters tried to use their escape routes, but never made it to their safety zone. The area was inaccessible, and the bodies were not recovered for 2 days; Rodarte and Collins were found underneath the dozer, neither had fire shelters.
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