Firefighters Rescued From Fast-Moving Woodward Fire​ In Marin

MARIN COUNTY, CA — Two Marin County firefighters were rescued by helicopter Friday night after becoming trapped while battling the fast-moving Woodward Fire in Point Reyes National Seashore.

The firefighters were in heavy brush when they became stranded around 8:15 p.m. on a ridgeline about 75 yards from the blaze, southwest of Olema, according to the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office.

The sheriff's rescue helicopter "Henry 1" was sent to the scene and with a 100-foot-long line, pulled both firefighters to safety at the same time.

"Henry 1 is the only helicopter in the region capable of conducting a vertical reference long line rescue at night," sheriff's officials said on Facebook. "When our fire counterparts call for help, Henry 1 comes flying."

The rescue operation was complicated by strong, gusting winds that intensified as Henry 1 flew closer to the head of the fire, the sheriff's office said.

After arriving at the firefighters' location, a tactical flight officer placed a Bauman Bag rescue device on one of the firefighters and a horse collar rescue device on the other.

"Henry 1 was able to lift three people, the TFO and both firefighters, simultaneously to safety," officials said. "This enabled the rescue to occur in one attempt, as time was clearly of the essence, and limit the amount of time any of them were in the dangerous situation."

The Woodward Fire is burning out of control in hilly and remote terrain in the Point Reyes National Seashore.

The blaze, sparked by lightning, broke out Tuesday just south of the Woodward Trail, a few miles west of the Bear Valley Visitor Center in Olema and about a mile inland from Limantour Beach. The fire has burned 2,259 acres and was 5 percent contained as of 7 a.m. Saturday.

Also see:

• CA Fires Latest: 5 Dead, Over 770,000 Acres Burned
• Evacuation Warning Area Expanded For Woodward Fire In Marin
• Wildfire Smoke Prompts Health Advisory In Marin County
• Air Support Arrives To Help Fight Woodward Fire In Marin County
• Woodward Fire Burns 1,100 Acres In Point Reyes National Seashore
• Woodward Fire Prompts Evacuation Warning In West Marin

Note: Video includes brief use of graphic language.