3 California firefighters burned at wind-driven grass fire
3 California firefighters burned atwind-driven grass fire
11June 2008
Publishedby the www.mercurynews.com
LINCOLN, Calif.Three firefighters have been hospitalized with burns after a wind-driven grass fire swept over them.
Battalion chief Bill Mendonca with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection says all three men were airlifted to UC Davis Medical Center’s burn unit in Sacramento. He didn’t immediately know the extent of their injuries.
The firefighters were responding Wednesday morning to a five-acre grass fire in Placer County near the city of Lincoln, which is about 30 miles north of Sacramento.
Mendonca says crew members were attempting to attack the fire when they were overrun by the flames. Two fire engines also were burned.
Two of the firefighters were career firefighters with Cal Fire. The third was a volunteer with the Placer County Fire Department.
The blaze is now contained after burning 50 acres.
