Seven firefighters with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) were overrun by fire Sunday afternoon, September 12, 2004 in the Tuolumne River Canyon on the Tuolumne Fire in the Stanislaus National Forest. One firefighter was killed. Included on this page are a photo of the fallen firefighter, the Helitack Crew she was a member of, the names of the firefighters who were part of her crew on Sunday afternoon, memorial information, and the final report following the accident investigation.

All inquiries concerning this Accident Investigation Report should be directed to Michael Jarvis in the CAL FIRE Communications office at (916) 653-7711.

CAL FIRE is a large organization that in many ways resembles a family. The loss of any member of the firefighting family has a dramatic affect on those who put their lives on the line daily. The commitment to society by Eva Schicke – through her courage and compassion -- lives on today in the hearts and minds of her colleagues at CAL FIRE Although the investigation determined no individual was at fault, CAL FIRE will continue to evaluate its policies and procedures as well as those techniques that involve the coordination of firefighting between agencies. Information gathered from the investigation will be used in training courses and modification of policies to hopefully prevent a similar or even more disastrous accident from occurring.
From CAL FIRE Director Dale Geldert

• Accident Investigation Report - CAL FIRE Helitack Crew 404 Burnover, (Entire Report)
   
• Full Honors Procession and Funeral For Fallen Firefighter (38K PDF)
• Media Advisory - Procession and Funeral For Fallen Firefighter (38K PDF)
• Governor Schwarzenegger Statement on Death of Firefighter Eva Schicke
• CAL FIRE Firefighter I Eva Schicke (61K JPG)
• Columbia Helitack Crew (16K PDF)
• Columbia Helitack Crew (79K JPG)
• CAL FIRE Firefighter Names (20K PDF)
• Firefighter Fatality and Injury Advisory (11K PDF)