The shelters aren’t perfect, nothing is, but for all 19 to fail?
Something is very wrong here.
careful Boss...the fire turned in 11 minutes from 6 mph to over 50 mph right across them...the aluminum sleeve cover was all they had and most could get no oxygen...I live here and know the facts
The devices didn't fail. The environment simply exceeded what they were designed for.
I remember several years ago the same thing happened in Colorado killing about the same number of firefighters --many of whom were college-aged volunteers. The winds shifted and the flames spread faster than they could run for their lives. They roasted inside their heat-resistant covers on the mountainside. It caused a huge outcry because they were killed while fighting to save property. No lives were in danger (except their's).
The shelters protect from fire and heat, but not from lack of oxygen or smoke inhalation. I don't think the Hotshots carry oxygen tanks and masks, but I could be wrong.
Something is very wrong here
+`
Sometimes these fires are too hot and sustained to allow these measures to protect the occupant. Fire will use ALL the oxygen which I surmise was a component in this case.