A dozer operator trying to slow a rapidly growing wildfire in Oregon has died after the flames took an unexpected turn.
Jason Ensign, 47, of Klamath Falls was operating a Cat D6 dozer August 6 ahead of the Wrights Spring Fire in the Yahwee Plateau, according to the Klamath County Sheriff's Office. He was working for the Green Diamond Timber Resource Company building dozer lines and improving access ahead of the advancing fire.
An unexpected weather change resulted in “extreme fire behavior,” the Sheriff’s Office said. “The rapidly changing conditions cut Jason's dozer off from his escape route to a safety zone.”
At about 4:30 p.m., crews became aware a dozer was missing and began searching the area.
When the fire in the area subsided, they were able to head to Ensign’s last known location. They determined where he had been with cellphone information and witnesses’ statements.
Sheriff’s and Oregon Department of Forestry personnel located the dozer later that night. It had been heavily damaged by fire, and Ensign’s body was found inside the enclosed cab, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
“This is a heartbreaking loss,” the Sheriff’s Office posted to Facebook. “... Jason was doing dangerous work in an effort to help protect others and support the firefighting operation."
Powered byOregon is experiencing a record-setting number of wildfires that continue to grow and cause evacuations. The Wrights Spring Fire is one of the state’s most active fires, according to the Salem Statesman Journal. In all, 2.3 million acres have burned in the state from wildfires as of August 10, the newspaper reports.
The Wrights Spring Fire started August 5 in the Fremont-Winema National Forest, according to the Oregon State Fire Marshal. The fire grew rapidly overnight pushed by extremely dry and windy conditions. As of the August 10, the fire has burned close to 47,000 acres and is not contained, according to RyanWeather.Com.
"The fire has experienced daily bursts of extreme fire behavior," RyanWeather posts. "This fire continues to exhibit explosive fire behavior and rapid growth each day, being fed by low humidity levels and gusty afternoon and evening winds."
