Figure 1. Dude Fire Fatality Site - Walk Moore Canyon Trailhead sign Source: NWCG, USFS
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. Ephesians 4:25
"The only man who never makes a mistake is the man who never does anything." Teddy Roosevelt
Authors: Douglas Fir, Joy A. Collura, and contributing others
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What follows are some of the written records regarding the June 1990 Dude Fire, (e.g. emails, Incident Action Plan, maps, and very detailed US Attorney's Office "Dude Fire Chronology" (90+ pages) "prepared for the purpose of defending litigation against the United States." In order to forestall any cover-ups or whitewashes, because I, Douglas Fir, served as a Field Observer (FOBS) on the fire, my (DF) comments correct several repeated, questionable comments, errors, and outright falsehoods regarding the whereabouts of Perryville Crew Boss Larry Terra and the alleged Crew Representative (CREP ) status of Dave LaTour per the Overhead Resource Order form ("O-41 ordered 6-26-90 at 1755"), and /or clarification on some other points regarding fire weather and fire behavior.
Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out. Proverbs 10:9
"Our difficulties and our dangers will not be removed by closing our eyes to them." Winston Churchill
This quote below is a very suitable and germane quote from the book that kicked off the High Reliability Organization (HRO) movement in the USFS. The book is titled "Managing the Unexpected - Resilient Performance in an Age of Uncertainty" by Karl E. Weick and Kathleen M. Sutcliffe (2007) concerning accurate, truthful, and complete lessons learned.
"[T]he period right after the chaos of battle ... there are truths lying around everywhere that may be picked up for the asking. This is the moment of learning. But it wasn't long before candor gives way to moments of normalizing that protect reputations, decisions, and styles of managing. As soon as official stories get 'straightened out' and repeated, learning stops." (emphasis added - p. 109)
The June 1990 Dude Fire and all other wildland fire fatalities fit squarely into the traps listed above.
"They" may think they are promoting and instilling true lessons learned in today’s WFs and FFs, but in reality they are threatening to raise future generations in darkness, ignorant of the wildfire culture’s complexity and doomed to repeat the same mistakes for which so many have paid such a high price.
What follows is a February 11, 2004, email and attached contour map with fire perimeter locations and times from U.S. Attorney's Office, Assistant US Attorney (AUSA) Mike Johns (RiP) to Schoeffler regarding the June 26, 1990, Dude Fire environmental and human factors and how they related to the eventual extreme fire behavior and WF fatalities in Walk Moore Canyon.
Figure 2. Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) Michael A. Johns (RiP), February 11, 2004, email thread to Schoeffler regarding June 1990 Dude Fire fuels, weather, topography,Walk Moore Canyon, firing operations, and Dude Fire Staff Ride Source: Schoeffler
Figure 3. Unutilized Staff Ride map of fire perimeter estimates and times, dozer line locations, non-anchor point (Watch Out #8). Note 0800 to 1400 fire perimeter indicating minimal fire spread during that timeframe. Source: Schoeffler
As a former wildland firefighter (WF) but NOT an officially recognized former Payson Hot Shot Crew Boss as he had boldly claimed, AUSA Johns (RiP) was particularly well-versed in basic wildland fire. Thus, he has correctly pointed out that those involved on the firelines were tunneled in on the environmental factors while discounting the subtle warning signs in Walk Moore Canyon. However, I believe he may have missed the mark a bit with this statement: "No one was lulled by this because everyone knew the risk of blowup." I know the Hot Shot Crews knew the risk, but did the Perryville Crew Boss or Dave LaTour really know the risk of blowup?
He was spot on with his knowledge about "the downhill [fire] run the night before" being a "typical local phenomenon under The Rim."
His conclusion that they thought their burnout plan had "a good chance of success in keeping fire out of Bonita Creek" matches what the Alpine Supt. stated below (posted elsewhere on this website).
"With the support that was here, ... including six HS Crews; [there was] a plan in place to burn around the subdivision. Fire behavior that we were in observation of, at least what we could see, on the slope was non-threatening, really, it was actually working to our benefit ... if we could get this firing show around it [Bonita Creek Subdivision]. I felt like there was a pretty good probability of success ... at least this front of the subdivision. What we observed was very light. I estimated two, three, maybe four at best ... upslope, up canyon winds with a backing fire, and whether the burnout was progressing over there was affecting anything - from my perspective, no - it was not. That continued right on through 'til on my chronology, right about 1400 (2: PM) ..." (emphasis added)
Figure 4. Dude Fire Map with Control Road (64), Fuller Creek Road (4WD) and Walk Moore Canyon Road (4WD), and notations for Corner House, Dozer Line, Burnout Operation, Safety Zone, and the non-Anchor Point (Watch Out #8) Source: Flathead HS, Schoeffler, Record Files
What follows are two pages of what I (DF) refer to as AUSA Johns' (RiP) "Legal Version" of the Dude Fire Investigation Report. I call it the "legal version" because the Serious Accident Investigation Team did their own regarding the operational aspects. However, it was insufficient as a more formal legal document. The U.S. Attorney Office one was much more detailed, comprised of a chronological blending in all the sundry interviews, analyses and reports, witness statements, references and reference materials, conclusory and / or presumptive "comments" regarding the June 26, 1990, Perryville Crew Entrapment, Burnover, and Deployment from a "legal perspective" to defend in Court of Law.
Figure 5. AUSA Johns (RiP) Legal version of Dude Fire Investigation Report regarding the June 26th Perryville Crew Entrapment and Burnover and Deployment period (1418 to 1422) Source: AUSA, Schoeffler
Figure 6. (AUSA Johns (RiP) Legal version of Dude Fire Investigation Report regarding the June 26th Perryville Crew Entrapment and Burnover and Deployment period (1422 cont. to 1426) Source: Schoeffler / AUSA, Record Files
This paper by AUSA Johns (RiP) is well worth reading. What Was He Thinking? Beyond Bias - To Decision Making and Judging by AUSA and Senior Litigation Counsel Mike Johns (RiP). This paper was prepared for the 2007 Serious Accident Investigations course, BLM National Training Center, Phoenix, AZ.
He examines and discusses in quite some detail the following areas: "Cognitive Biases, Outcome Knowledge and Judging Quality of Decisions, Coherence Based Reasoning, Knowledge Structures and Schemas, Dispositionist Thinking and Judging - causation, responsibility and blame, Interpersonal and Intergroup Conflict, and Cultural Cognition."
What follows is the June 26, 1990, Dude Fire "Day Shift" Incident Action Plan (IAP), also formerly known as a Shift Plan.
Figure 7. Dude Fire Day Shift Plan 6-26-90 Cover Page Source: Schoeffler
Ages ago, they called these "Shift Plans." Today, they are called Incident Action Plans ( IAP ).
Figure 8. Dude Fire Day Shift Plan 6-26-90; Incident Objectives Source: Schoeffler
Figure 9. Dude Fire Day Shift Plan 6-26-90; Organization Assignment Sheet Source:Schoeffler
Note: In the six records that follow, I, Joy A. Collura (JAC) has over the years seen inconsistencies on Scott Hunt and in his real time positions on Wildland Fires, so my Public Records Requests asked for his "Job Titles" over the decades; and this is what I received:
Figure 10a-f. DFFM email thread between Bill Boyd and myself (JAC) June 9-10, 2020 regarding a May 29, 2020, Public Records Request (PRR) Source: Proton Email; Joy A Collura
Below is an email thread between Bill Boyd (Deputy Director of AZ State Forestry - Public Records), Martha McConnell / Laura Blandford (AZ State Archive Library) and Joy A Collura:
Friday, July 3, 2020 4:00 PM
To: William Boyd<bboyd@dffm.az.gov>
Good afternoon, Bill.
Have a loving 4th of July weekend.
This is the update-
So how do I access this area?
They wrote:
"From: Laura Blandford Sent: Monday, June 22, 2020 10:23 AM To: Martha McConnell <mmcconnell@azlibrary.gov>; Arizona.Desert.Walker <Arizona.Desert.Walker@protonmail.com> Subject: RE: Yarnell fire - Dude Fire Good morning Joy, I’ve reached out to the Department of Forestry and Fire Management to try and figure out what records Boyd is referencing. Our records do not show the State Archives as receiving anything in addition to the records you have already seen. I will keep you posted.
to then this...
Just a quick note to confirm that the State Archives does not have the records that Forestry is referencing. You have the finding guide to the only records we have received from them. I believe the confusion arises over the difference between records management and archives, both of which are overseen by our agency. With records management, our agency (LAPR) facilitates government agencies with the storage of their records but the agencies themselves have to provide access to the records as they still have legal custody. With archives, agencies transfer legal and physical custody of records to LAPR and we (the archives) provide access. It seems that the records you are seeking are still under the legal custody of Forestry and you will have to contact them about getting access.
Laura Palma-Blandford Deputy State Archivist Arizona State Library, Archives, and Public Records Email: lblandford@azlibrary.gov Office: 602-926-3722"
Joy A Collura
Here are the 9g-m snippets (below) of the actual email thread:
....continued...
Figure 10g-n. DFFM email thread between Bill Boyd, AZ State Archives Library, and myself (JAC) June 9-10, 2020 regarding a May 29, 2020, Public Records Request (PRR) Source: Proton Email; Joy A Collura
The June 26, 1990, IAP follows again (below). Divisions are used to divide an incident into geographical areas of operation. Groups are functional.
Figure 11. Dude Fire Day Shift Plan 6-26-90; Division Assignment (204) Div. A Source: Schoeffler
Figure 12. Dude Fire Day Shift Plan 6-26-90; Division Assignment (204) Div. B Source: Schoeffler
Figure 13. Dude Fire Day Shift Plan 6-26-90; Division Assignment (204) Div. C Source: Schoeffler
Figure 14. Dude Fire Day Shift Plan 6-26-90; Division Assignment (204) Div. D Source: Schoeffler
Figure 15. Dude Fire Day Shift Plan 6-26-90; Division Assignment (204) Div. E Source: Schoeffler
Consider now the IAP Division Assignment List for the Bonita Creek Subdivision as GROUP F, making it a functional versus geographic distinction. Groups are established to divide the incident into functional areas of operation. Groups are composed of resources assembled to perform a special function not necessarily within a single geographic division.
Figure 16. Dude Fire Day Shift Plan 6-26-90; Division Assignment (204) Group F Source: Schoeffler
Consider this from a Wildfire Today 2013 article, where a former WF claimed to be on the Dude Fire.
Commenter Ken says:
"As a young first year “Station Manager” (now called FOS, ADFMO, or Battalion Chief), I rolled into the Dude Fire as a TFLD with an engine in tow. We had driven all night and were supposed to be the 'fresh' crews for the day shift. As we rolled into the Dude Fire, things were going gunnysack." (emphasis added)
It was very common to get a fire assignment order late in the evening or early morning hours, and then drive all night to show up and be labeled as "fresh" crews. In addition, a Staff Ride a few years ago revealed a WF participant stating they were part of a Task Force of Engines from the North Kaibab that showed up in the Corner House area just as "things were going gunnysack."
And another one from a Zig Zag Hot Shot Commenter that sure looks like he was there. However, there is no other formally documented proof of what is claimed (i.e. the fire and hot gases rushing over them), based on some of the things Curtis Martin says:
"I was on the fire that day with Zig Zag hotshots working next to the Perryville crew. I handed a torch to them maybe 15 minutes before the thing blew up. Hot gas rushed over us. My lungs fried and I dropped to the ground to try sucking cooler air out of the dirt while Perryville burned. I had been discusted (sic) by the sticky red retardant that coated me from a tanker drop earlier. They had hit us directly and the goo ran down my back. That’s the only difference between my position and Perryville crew stringing down the valley from us. Many images remain burned in today. I remember the faces of Perryville as we met that morning on the trail. I remember the fellow that walked out of the fire in our direction. I forget if he lived or not. A few hours preceding the blow out I was convinced it was coming. I monitored weather. Noted the winds, the rain falling when humidity had been at 2%, all day. I said to those close to me 'it’s not good. Its going to blow.['] Were mid slope and not near the black. There must have been a hundred bad signs and clear failures to act according to rules and training. A few minutes later it came through the trees like a blast of toxic gas followed by exploding trees. We walked up slope and found the living. Then back down to watch a man walk out of the fire leaving the dead behind him. The whole week became madness as we went back in and faught (sic) the thing on the cliffs of the rim. I remember the town cobbler fixing my melted boors for free. It was an honor to be there with all those firefightes (sic) from.so many places and backgrounds. Its (sic) a thing that rarely fades. The sound. The speed that a spark would flash into a large spot fire. Instantly. Im (sic) all to often outraged as I read the yearly stories of more wildland firefighters burned to death in conditions they never should have been sent. The rules of engagement on the fire line are clear.and reasonable. Its (sic) shocking how frequently they are ignored. I wouldn’t trade that day for anything. But I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. Burning to death is an ugly thing so fitting to but contradicting the colors and beauty of a large fire. Craziest thing I’ll ever see. I miss those guys. (emphasis added)
Figure 17. Dude Fire Day Shift IAP 6-26-90; Air Operations Summary Source: Schoeffler
Figure 18. Dude Fire Day Shift IAP 6-26-90; Incident Radio Communication Plan Source: Schoeffler
Figure 19. Dude Fire Day Shift IAP 6-26-90 Medical Plan Source: Schoeffler
Consider below (Figures 18-19) both the June 26, 1990, Spot Weather Report and the Fire Behavior Forecast No 1. The first thing to notice are the TIMES of each report and forecast. These indicate they were on the 30th at 2210 (10:10 PM MS) and 2200 (10:00 PM) respectively.
In other words, these were long after the deployments, burnover, and fatalities had occurred. The AUSA would ultimately end up word-smithing and maneuvering it into the Legal Version of the Investigation Report in order for it to "fit" or justify the Dude Fire Fatality narrative.
Figure 20. Dude Fire Day Shift IAP 6-26-90; Spot Weather Report 6/26/90 10:10 PM Source: Schoeffler
Figure 21. Dude Fire Day Shift IAP 6-26-90; Fire Behavior Forecast No. 1 at 2200 (10:00 PM) Source: Schoeffler
Figure 22. Dude Fire Day Shift IAP 6-26-90; Health and Safety Message Source: Schoeffler
Figure 23. Dude Fire Day Shift IAP 6-26-90; Transportation map Source: Schoeffler
Figure 24. Dude Fire Day Shift IAP 6-26-90; Incident map Source: Schoeffler
Consider reviewing the June 1990 Dude Fire content in this unique forum: THE HISTORICAL MARKER DATABASE (HMdb.org) The Dude Fire
The authors believe that it is well worth the time to read the following document. Consider now the detailed, lengthy Dude Fire Chronology to accompany and supplement the Legal Version of the SAIR.
In spite of the fact that I (DF) personally discussed and notified AUSA Mike Johns (RiP) on several occasions of the fact that myself and several other WFs on June 26, 1990, witnessed Crew Boss Terra traveling back and forth on the Control Road in an AZ Dept. of Corrections truck, at the Fuller Creek road intersection, after the fatalities had occurred and broadcast over the radio.
Unfortunately, Johns (RiP) continues to state in this legal document - as fact - that Crew Boss Terra was with the Perryville Crew the entire time in Walk Moore Canyon even though he knew that to be false. AUSA Johns (RiP) again and again, evades the fact that myself and other WFs witnessed him away from the Perryville Crew and during a critical time, that we talked with Terra about the Perryville Crew, and heard Terra state twice: "I should have never left my Crew."
The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. Proverbs 11:3
This is what I, DF, posted on or about June 21, 2020, and stand by as factual:
"On the afternoon of June 26th about 1400 or so, our DIVS directed us to pull out to the Control Road. While hiking out to the Control Road on the Fuller Creek two-track, I (DF) recall hearing over the radio on the TAC channel that the HS Crews' burnout had been lost. We then heard Zig Zag HS Supt. Gleason calling out over the radio on TAC about a burned WF. He then broadcast over the TAC channel a progression of various Perryville Crew fatalities and burn victims, totaling six.
While standing on the Fuller Creek Road and Control Road, (Figure 2.) we observed an AZ Dept. of Corrections (DOC) vehicle driving back and forth as he could not get through to the East. The fire powerfully crossed the Control Road. As we left the two R6 HS Crews we had been working with, myself, and a Payson HS stopped this vehicle and asked the driver what was happening. The man inside, dressed in a yellow jump suit said - "I should have never left my Crew." I (DF) noticed sodas and cigarettes on the seat next to him. I asked who his Crew was and he said "Perryville" and I told him that they were in a bad way. Once again, he said "I should have never left my Crew."
I (DF) inferred that this AZ State DOC Crew Boss had left his Crew to go to the nearby market at Mesa Del. Terra left Bachman with the responsibility of supervising the Crew even though the Dude Fire was her first wildfire assignment. Furthermore, several years later at a Payson, AZ Rim Country Museum and Zane Grey Cabin at Green Valley Park event I asked the visiting AZ Forestry and DOC personnel about Terra and they said he quit right after the Dude Fire. However, I have not verified that.
And what about the alleged Perryville inmate (Fred Hill) that supposedly was with Crew Boss Terra going for water? Many years later, the Globe HS Supt stated he had 'a son of the Perryville inmate' that supposedly was with Crew Boss Terra going for water. The son said his Father told him they had gotten 'some pot from some of the other Crews, and they were off by themselves smoking dope, and that's why they were separated from the rest of the Crew.' Look at the names and numbers of the Perryville Crew individuals and the map on Figure 74a.
AUSA Johns (RiP) in an introductory paragraph states: 'The following was prepared for the purpose of defending litigation against the United States. It has been edited for use in training and study of the incident. It still contains considerable duplication of information obtained from a variety of sources, as it is believed by the author, Mike Johns (RiP), [AUSA], to assist in understanding the incident from the differing perspectives of those who were there. Johns (RiP) is counsel to the United States and [alleged that he] was formerly the Payson Hotshot Crew Foreman where this fire occurred." (emphasis added)
Figure 25. Assistant U.S. Attorney, Michael A. Johns (RiP) Dude Fire Chronology ( page 24 ) Source: Schoeffler
These public records were in a three ring binder with numbered pages and may be out of order somewhat. Page 24 above in Figure 23. was placed there to indicate the AUSA intent in the first paragraph.
Figure 26. Assistant U.S. Attorney, Michael A. Johns (RiP) Dude Fire Chronology ( page 2 ) Source: Schoeffler
Figure 27. Assistant U.S. Attorney, Michael A. Johns (RiP) Dude Fire Chronology ( page 3 ) Source: Schoeffler
Figure 28. Assistant U.S. Attorney, Michael A. Johns (RiP) Dude Fire Chronology ( page 4 ) Source: Schoeffler
Figure 29. Assistant U.S. Attorney, Michael A. Johns (RiP) Dude Fire Chronology ( page 5 ) Source: Schoeffler
"(6/25/90 1830) The Type II Team was briefed by the District Ranger at 1830. The fire was about 650 acres. ... The Type II Team took over about 2000. At 2030 Tonto Fire Staff Officer Wagenfehr and [the] Type II Incident Commander decided to order the Type I Team." (emphasis added)
Very interesting point and revelations here that contradicts what I (DF) heard at that same meeting and posted ("Part 2 - Do our Wildland Fire (WF) Instructors foster "complete" lessons learned in the WF culture?") elsewhere on this website.
This one from the AUSA Dude Fire chronology strongly suggests that the Incident Commander basically turned Quisling and betrayed his own Fire Team by joining forces with the Forest FMO to order the Type I Team without even giving his own Team the benefit of the doubt.
"I (DF) don't recall who the IA Incident Commander was at the time. As a Field Observer, I was encouraged to attend the Class Two Team in-briefing, including District and Forest personnel, and the Forest Fire Staff (FMO). I am glad I went, it was definitely an eye opener. Once the in-briefing was over the Tonto NF FMO stated: '... By the way, I have already ordered a Class One Team with the transition to occur at noon.'
"Needless to say, the Class Two Team personnel were pretty upset about that, saying things like: 'we haven't even been on the fire yet' and 'you never gave us a chance to prove ourselves' and the like. This would later come into play because the Class Two Team personnel were reluctant to let go of the operations - especially the Walk Moore Canyon / Bonita Creek Subdivision firing operation."
"This was a common SW Area noon transition time in those days, that thankfully ceased because of what occurred on the fatal Dude Fire."
This is one of the major issues that must be discussed at Stand One of the Dude Fire Staff Ride.
Figure 30. Assistant U.S. Attorney, Michael A. Johns (RiP) Dude Fire Chronology ( page 6 ) Source: Schoeffler
Figure 31. Assistant U.S. Attorney, Michael A. Johns (RiP) Dude Fire Chronology ( page 7 ) Source: Schoeffler
Figure 32 Assistant U.S. Attorney, Michael A. Johns (RiP) Dude Fire Chronology ( page 8 ) Source: Schoeffler
Figure 33. Assistant U.S. Attorney, Michael A. Johns (RiP) Dude Fire Chronology ( page 9 ) Source: Schoeffler
Figure 34. Assistant U.S. Attorney, Michael A. Johns (RiP) Dude Fire Chronology ( page 10 ) Source: Schoeffler
Figure 35. Assistant U.S. Attorney, Michael A. Johns (RiP) Dude Fire Chronology ( page 11 ) Source: Schoeffler
Figure 36. Assistant U.S. Attorney, Michael A. Johns (RiP) Dude Fire Chronology ( page 12 ) Source: Schoeffler
Figure 37. Assistant U.S. Attorney, Michael A. Johns (RiP) Dude Fire Chronology ( page 13) Source: Schoeffler
Figure 38. Assistant U.S. Attorney, Michael A. Johns (RiP) Dude Fire Chronology ( page 14 ) Source: Schoeffler
It was Eckstein that brought more fire shelters - and there is no Coronado HS
Figure 39. Assistant U.S. Attorney, Michael A. Johns (RiP) Dude Fire Chronology ( page 15 ) Source: Schoeffler
Figure 40. Assistant U.S. Attorney, Michael A. Johns (RiP) Dude Fire Chronology ( page 16 ) Source: Schoeffler
Figure 41. Assistant U.S. Attorney, Michael A. Johns (RiP) Dude Fire Chronology ( page 17 ) Source: Schoeffler
Figure 42. Assistant U.S. Attorney, Michael A. Johns (RiP) Dude Fire Chronology ( page 18 ) Source: Schoeffler
Figure 43. Assistant U.S. Attorney, Michael A. Johns (RiP) Dude Fire Chronology ( page 19 ) Source: Schoeffler
Figure 44. Assistant U.S. Attorney, Michael A. Johns (RiP) Dude Fire Chronology ( page 20 ) Source: Schoeffler
Figure 45. Assistant U.S. Attorney, Michael A. Johns (RiP) Dude Fire Chronology ( page 21 ) Source: Schoeffler
Figure 46. Assistant U.S. Attorney, Michael A. Johns (RiP) Dude Fire Chronology ( page 22 ) Source: Schoeffler
Figure 47. Assistant U.S. Attorney, Michael A. Johns (RiP) Dude Fire Chronology ( page 23 ) Source: Schoeffler
Figure 48. Assistant U.S. Attorney, Michael A. Johns (RiP) Dude Fire Chronology ( page 24 ) Source: Schoeffler
Figure 49. Assistant U.S. Attorney, Michael A. Johns (RiP) Dude Fire Chronology ( page 25 ) Source: Schoeffler
Figure 50. Assistant U.S. Attorney, Michael A. Johns (RiP) Dude Fire Chronology ( page 26 ) Source: Schoeffler
Figure 51. Assistant U.S. Attorney, Michael A. Johns (RiP) Dude Fire Chronology ( page 27 ) Source: Schoeffler
Figure 52. Assistant U.S. Attorney, Michael A. Johns (RiP) Dude Fire Chronology ( page 28 ) Source: Schoeffler
Figure 53. Assistant U.S. Attorney, Michael A. Johns (RiP) Dude Fire Chronology ( page 29 ) Source: Schoeffler
"(6/26/90 1230) [OPS] Cooke went to the subdivision to tie the overhead in with the crews. ... At the time he did not establish specific division breaks, which expanded with the fire, but sent the supervisors to scout their areas while he did the same. ... When he walked down Walkmoore Canyon the main fire near the Perryville Crew was 200 to 300 yards from the dozer line backing down the sideslope with calm winds. There was no indication that the fire would make the kind of run on the line there that it did." (emphasis added)
What follows below in Figure 52. "(6/26/90 1230) [DIVS Whitney] about a half hour to an hour before the blowup he went down to check the ... Southwest corner of the burnout, which was the Northwest corner of the subdivision. He heard the fire had crossed the Control Road so he went to check it. He headed out but was told by others trying to enter the subdivision that they could not enter. He saw 150 to 200 foot flames, knew they were trapped and called the line, Prescott [HS?], and told them to pass the word to get into a safety zone. They built the [safety] zone in the black from the burnout." (emphasis added)
Figure 54. Assistant U.S. Attorney, Michael A. Johns (RiP) Dude Fire Chronology ( page 30 ) Source: Schoeffler
"(6/26/90 1245) LaTour could see ... Some runs but well above Bonita Creek on the other side of Walk Moore [Canyon]. ... Fire would come to a ridge and then die down. The Zig Zag and Redmond crews passed them going up the line. Latour had the crew spread out and watching for spots. ... Latour could see the main fire slowly coming down but not in their drainage. ... There was some wind, squirly (sic) 3ith some spots showing up in the drainage. He put the crew back to work improving line. [DIVS Group] Ashby called and said to stay below the Alpine Crew. They had about a 200 yard gap between them. [OP] VanTilborg ... was checking the burnout around the subdivision." (emphasis added)
The fire is signalling its intentions to Perryville CREP and alleged Lookout LaTour. He could see some runs well above Bonita Creek on the other side of Walk Moore Canyon and watched the fire come to a ridge and then die down. He could see the main fire slowly coming down but in another drainage. He noted that there was some squirly wind with some spots showing up in the drainage. Anyone else kinda concerned or at least noting the increasing fire behavior? How about those spots showing up in the drainage ... and the WFs more-or-less ignoring them?
Figure 55. Assistant U.S. Attorney, Michael A. Johns (RiP) Dude Fire Chronology ( page 31 ) Source: Schoeffler
"(6/26/90 1300) [DIVS] Gil had trouble holding line all morning. They lost a spot which they planned to line later in the day with a dozer. ... Except possibly a spot to the Northeast, all the spots were between [the] dozer line and main fire except one small one East of the [C]orner [H]ouse and North of the road, West of the dozer line (surrounded by line) long before the blowup, and was easily put out with water." (emphasis added)
It is notable that DIVS Gil had trouble holding line all morning and lost a spot that they planned to line with a dozer later in the day. Line spots later in the day? And it's okay because all the spots are in between the dozer line and the main fire. WTF? Negative! You deal with spots as they occur - immediately!
Figure 56. Assistant U.S. Attorney, Michael A. Johns (RiP) Dude Fire Chronology ( page 32 ) Source: Schoeffler
(6-30-90 1630 - above) Hot Shots experiencing strong, gusty winds, losing their spot fires, losing their burning operation, Perryville WF Hatch walking out of the smoke at 1433, and "the fire kept coming."
Figure 57. Assistant U.S. Attorney, Michael A. Johns (RiP) Dude Fire Chronology ( page 33 ) Source: Schoeffler
Figure 58. Assistant U.S. Attorney, Michael A. Johns (RiP) Dude Fire Chronology ( page 34 ) Source: Schoeffler
"(6/26/90 1315) At 1315 to 1330 the crew sequence down Walk Moore Canyon was Alpine, Perryville, and Navajo. No burnout was taking place. The fire was backing down across the canyon about one third the way down from the top." (emphasis added)
Figure 59. Assistant U.S. Attorney, Michael A. Johns(RiP) Dude Fire Chronology ( page 35 ) Source: Schoeffler
"(6/26/90 1330) Redmond Hotshots completed the burnout around the corner house that had the handline around it. Zigzag Hotshots took over the burnout and continued down the dozer line at about 1330. ... At about 1315 to 1330 [OPS] Dundas pulled West side crews back from their burnout operation on the Southwest side because it was apparent they would not be able to contain the fire and should let it go on down toward the Control Road rather than try to build new line east to Bonita. ... This was not an evacuation, only a tactical decision to discontinue a burnout operation." (emphasis added)
"Fear is a reaction. Courage is a decision." Winston Churchill
In spite of a few, key bad decisions that cost several WFs their lives, there were a lot of good decisions made that day.
Figure 60. Assistant U.S. Attorney, Michael A. Johns (RiP) Dude Fire Chronology ( page 36 ) Source: Schoeffler
"The possibility of thunderstorms did not prompt LaTour to remove his crew because the fire was West of them on the ridge and above to the North of them and he did not believe they were in jeopardy, and believed a thunderstorm would not threaten them." (emphasis added)
Elsewhere, LaTour admits to seeing fire activity in Fuller Canyon to the West. This may have been the LaGrande HS burnout blunder
"(6/26/90 1345) Before Scopa walked down to see LaTour he drove to a higher house in the subdivision and looked at the fire. The main fire was still to the North of the subdivision and may have also been on the ridge to the West of the [C]orner [H]ouse but there was no fire to the Southwest of the [C]orner [H]ouse." (emphasis added)
It was likely the R6 HS burnout gone awry that Scopa saw: "The main fire ... may have also been on the ridge to the West of the [C]orner [H]ouse." (emphasis added)
"(6/26/90 1345) At about 1345 to 1400 ... The main fire on the ridge to the North of them, was still actively burning about midslope with smoke billowing in a Northwest direction. It appeared to be a little closer to the dozer line at his location but of no immediate threat. ..." (emphasis added)
Figure 61. Assistant U.S. Attorney, Michael A. Johns (RiP) Dude Fire Chronology ( page 37 ) Source: Schoeffler
(6/26/90 1345) TERRA FALSELY CLAIMS HE TOOK CREWMEMBER FRED HILL DOWN TO THE CONTROL ROAD TO GET WATER (ABOUT 1345) LEFT ASST. CREW BOSS BACHMAN IN CHARGE WITH CREP LATOUR - HE HAD THE HANDHELD RADIO IN HIS TRUCK WHEN I (DF) STOPPED AND TALKED WITH HIM AT THE FULLER CREEK AND CONTROL ROAD JUNCTION STATING TWICE:"I SHOULD HAVE NEVER LEFT MY CREW."
An honest witness tells the truth, but a false witness tells lies. Proverbs 12:17
Figure 62. Assistant U.S. Attorney, Michael A. Johns (RiP) Dude Fire Chronology ( page 38 ) Source: Schoeffler
Figure 63. Assistant U.S. Attorney, Michael A. Johns (RiP) Dude Fire Chronology ( page 39 ) Source: Schoeffler
Figure 64. Assistant U.S. Attorney, Michael A. Johns (RiP) Dude Fire Chronology ( page 40 ) Source: Schoeffler
"(6/26/90 1400) ... At the time of the blowup ... wind totally dominated the fire environment. The fire spread approx. 1.5 miles during the first half hour of the strong wind event. The fire crossed Walk Moore Canyon at this time, flashing from the West side to the East side of the Canyon, followed immediately by burning of the surface fuels. ... [Andrews] underlying report and photos show set of needles ["Needle Set"] indicating wind driven fire approached [the] crew from [W]est to [E]ast, while some leaves contra [Latin term for “against” or “opposite to” or “contrary to"] in ladder fuels down in the canyon indicating turbulence or direction change. Her report notes spread rate of flash fire across canyon much greater than hour-long rate." (emphasis added)
As a visual analogue, what follows in Figure 62a. (below) is a photo of a rolling HRV wave of smoke filling a canyon on the Las Conchas Fire (2012) with intense HRV cross-canyon flash fire behind it that would have been similar to what occurred on June 26, 1990. This was described by Andrews and shown in Figure 62b. (below) and what very likely occurred in Walk Moore Canyon on the afternoon of the June 26, 1990, Dude Fire.
Figure 65a.(left) A wave of billowing smoke
Figure 65b. Idealized image of wildfire HRV. Source: Finney et al (2015) Role of buoyant flame dynamics in wildfire spread. PNAS
Figure 66. Assistant U.S. Attorney, Michael A. Johns (RiP) Dude Fire Chronology ( page 41 ) Source: Schoeffler
"(6/26/90 1400) At about 1400 winds were calm, the fire was backing down toward Walkmoore [Canyon ] 200 to 300 yards from Perryville. Flathead and Zig Zag [HS] were conducting the burnout down into Walkmoore [Canyon]." (emphasis added)
Figure 67. Assistant U.S. Attorney, Michael A. Johns (RiP) Dude Fire Chronology ( page 42 ) Source: Schoeffler
Go to Part II of "Was the June 26, 1990, Dude Fire a precursor for the "incomplete" lessons learned on June 30, 2013?": Was the June 26, 1990, Dude Fire a precursor for the "incomplete" lessons learned on June 30, 2013?b (yarnellhillfirerevelations.com)
If you right click and click "print" and save as PDF- 147 pages.
#Douglas Fir #TRUTH MATTERS #Lessons Learned #Joy A. Collura #Sandra Bachman #Incident Action Plan #Dude Fire Chronology #Perryville Crew Boss Larry Terra #Perryville Crew Boss Larry Terra #High Reliability Organization (HRO) #Karl E. Weick and Kathleen M. Sutcliffe #U.S. Attorney's Office, Assistant US Attorney (AUSA) Mike Johns (RiP) #Walk Moore Canyon #Bonita Creek #Serious Accident Investigation Team #June 26th Perryville Crew Entrapment and Burnover and Deployment #Dude Fire Day Shift Plan 6-26-90 # Martha McConnell / Laura Blandford #AZ State Archive Library #Bill Boyd Deputy Director of AZ State Forestry - Public Records #Division Assignment #Wildfire Today 2013 article (hashtag)
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Update October 8th 8pm- Fred J. Schoeffler has my full permission to use any and all content from "Was the June 26, 1990, Dude Fire a precursor for the "incomplete" lessons learned on June 30, 2013?" on his new "Project 10 and 18 United" / "Project 10 and 18 International" blog he is creating.- Joy A. Collura
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