The Eagle Fire burnover occurred on July 8, 1989 near Janesville, California. Four firefighters - Duane Wright, Pat Nelson, Jim Scales, and Joelle Derbonne - were overrun by the fire when a fire whirl developed. The whirl intercepted their escape route, with estimated flame lengths of 200 feet and wind speeds of 100 mph. Wright and Nelson suffered significant burns while trying to deploy their emergency shelters. After treatment at the scene, all four firefighters were airlifted to a burn center for further care.

1. EAGLE FIRE BURNOVER
JULY 8, 1989
Ian Markle
Geology 10

2. INCIDENT INFORMATION
Fire Started July 7, 1989
Accident Occurred July 8th
Located Five Miles South of
Janesville
CDF-Lassen-Modoc Unit
Fire was 1000 Acres 1st Day

3. FIRE LOCATION

4. WHAT IS A BURNOVER?
It Refers to Having the Fire
Overrun the Firefighters and
Forcing Them to Use Their
Emergency Shelters to Protect
Them as the Fire Burns Over
and Around Them

5. BURNOVER VICTIMS
Firefighter 1 Duane Wright
Firefighter 1 Pat Nelson
Firefighter 1 Jim Scales
Firefighter 1 Joelle Derbonne

6. TOPOGRAPHY
US 395 @ 4100 Elevation
Top of Diamond Range escarpment @ 6400’ Elevation
1.5 miles between US 395 & Diamond Range
Just East of Fire is 40,000 Acre Lake (Honey Lake)

7. GENERAL WEATHER
Critical Weather Pattern
Strong Westerly Winds Occurring Over Ridges
Large Nevada & Utah Desert Area Heats Up
Thermal Low Forms Drawing In Low/Ground Level Air
As Air Flows Into Low Pressure Area, this Allows Upper
Level Westerlies to surface
Foehn Wind Pattern (Similar to Santa Anas or North
Winds)

8. OBSERVED SITE WEATHER
Temperature: 94-97 Degrees
Relative Humidity: 11-13%
Local Winds: Upslope 4-8 MPH
Gradient Winds: Westerly 8-17 MPH

9. FIRE WHIRL

10. FIRE BEHAVIOR
As Fire Approached US 395, Intense Downhill Run Occurred
With Flame Lengths Approx. 20-35’
Fire Whirl Developed West of US 395
Whirl Moved Easterly, Centered on US 395, then moved SW
adjacent to US 395 & Then Across SR 395 in SE Direction
Intercepting the Escape Route of the Injured Firefighters.

11. FIRE BEHAVIOR CONTINUED
Te Event Took 17 Seconds for Whirl to Reach Firefighters
Whirl Left Scorch Mark 95’ Long on Pavement
Visual Estimates Placed Flame Length at 200’
Estimated Wind Velocity of 100 MPH

12. FIRE LOCATION

13. SEQUENCE OF EVENTS
Main Fire Swept Toward US 395 & A Large Fire
Whirl Developed on West Side of US 395
FF Wright Attempted to Deploy Shelter, However
Blown From His Hands
FF Nelson Tried to Deploy Shelter But Melting
Shelter Pouch Stuck to His Gloves
FF’s Wright & Nelson Worked Their Way to US 395
& Assisted Each Other Up The Embankment

14. AFTER BURNOVER ACTIONS
After Treatment at the Scene by CDF &
Medics, All Four FF’s Were Flown by Two
CDF Helicopters to the Chico Burn
Center
Firefighter Status-
FF Wright: 45% 2nd & 3rd Degree burns
FF Nelson: 10% 2nd Degree Burns
FF Scales: 5% 2nd Degree Burns
FF Derbonne: 3.5% 2nd Degree Burns

15. THANK YOU
Duane Wright and His Family