The Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians Tribal Fire Department lost two rigs when fire burning at Six Rivers National Forest overran the vehicles Monday.
The crew from El Dorado County had parked the rigs what they thought was a safe distance from the fire, but a shift brough flames racing up a hill and it consumed the vehicles in less than 30 seconds, KCRA reports.
Fire was so hot, one piece of apparatus was completely incinerated. The crew lost all the gear they had brought, including firefighting tools, tents, clothing and food. In total, the loss was valued at over $1 million, KCRA reported.
No one was injured in the incident, and the 19 firefighters were able to find shelter with the Red Cross. The Six Rivers Lightning Complex fire has burned 7,000 acres.
