U.S. Dept of Agriculture
Forest fire or wildfire — Thermal burns second degree — NEW ELLENTON, South Carolina
| Employer | U.S. Dept of Agriculture |
| Address | 1 Mile Inside the Aiken Barricade |
| City, State ZIP | NEW ELLENTON, South Carolina 29809 |
| Report ID | 2024032541 |
| Event Date | March 21, 2024 |
| Outcome | Hospitalized |
| Nature of Injury | Thermal burns second degree |
| Body Part | Multiple body parts n.e.c. |
| Event Type | Forest fire or wildfire |
| Source of Injury | Plants, trees, vegetation unspecified |
| Secondary Source | Other plants, vegetation |
| Industry (NAICS) | 921190 |
| GPS Coordinates | 33.68000, -81.97000 |
Location Map
Incident Narrative
An employee was managing a prescribed burn when the fire behavior increased and he retreated to the road. His tool and foot got entangled in vines which slowed his retreat, and the fire encased his route back to the road. This resulted in blistering and second-degree burns to both elbows, both knees, the back of one thigh, the inner thigh, and his nose.
Incident Summary
On March 21, 2024, a worker at U.S. Dept of Agriculture in NEW ELLENTON, South Carolina suffered thermal burns second degree to the multiple body parts n.e.c.. The incident was classified as forest fire or wildfire, with plants, trees, vegetation unspecified identified as the source of injury. The worker was hospitalized.
Context
OSHA has recorded 9 severe injury reports involving "Forest fire or wildfire" incidents in our database. Browse all Forest fire or wildfire injuries.
Similar Incidents
Other severe injury reports involving Forest fire or wildfire events:
| Date | Employer | Location | Nature | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 10, 2024 | U.S. Forest Service, White Bird, Idaho | WHITE BIRD, Idaho | Intracranial injuries unspecified | Hosp. |
| Jun 21, 2025 | Bureau of Land Management | CARSON CITY, Nevada | Thermal burns degree unspecified | Hosp. |
| Jun 17, 2025 | US Forest Service | SILVER CITY, New Mexico | Thermal burns second degree | Hosp. |
| Aug 3, 2024 | US Forest Service | HARTVILLE, Wyoming | Myocardial infarction, heart attack | Hosp. |
| Sep 8, 2024 | USFS Boise National Forest Service | BOISE, Idaho | Fractures | Hosp. |
| Sep 15, 2024 | BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT | LA PINE, Oregon | Poisoning, poisoning-related asphyxia | Hosp. |
| Feb 29, 2024 | US Fish and Wildlife | VALENTINE, Nebraska | Thermal burns third degree or higher | Hosp. |
| Jul 14, 2025 | J. Franco Reforestation Inc | PAGOSA SPRINGS, Colorado | Heat stroke, syncope | Hosp. |
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About This OSHA Report
This is a severe injury report filed with OSHA. Employers are required to report all work-related fatalities and severe injuries within 8 to 24 hours. Browse more reports by employer, state, or industry below.