The Utah firefighter who died here in California last week may have been killed by branches and debris when an air tanker dropped a load of fire retardant that tore trees apart.
Battalion Chief Matthew Burchett died after a very large air tanker – one of CALFIRE’s converted jumbo jets – dropped a load of retardant on the Mendocino Complex fire last Monday. CALFIRE this week has issued a warning to firefighters to remain clear from areas where retardant drops are taking place. A reminder of the dangers of wildland firefighting.
