# Third or fourth degree heat (thermal) burns at USDA Forest Service
> OSHA SIR `2021043097` · 4/13/2021 · SHERIDAN, MONTANA
## Severity
- **1 hospitalization**
- **Body part:** Leg(s), unspecified
- **Nature of injury:** Third or fourth degree heat (thermal) burns
## Cause
- **Event:** Ignition of vapors, gases, or liquids
- **Source:** Petroleum fuels, distillates, and products, unspecified
- **Secondary source:** Fire, flame
## Employer
- **Name:** USDA Forest Service
- **Location:** Clear Creek Prescribed Fire, Ruby Valley, SHERIDAN, MONTANA, 59749
- **NAICS:** 921190
- **Jurisdiction:** 1
## Narrative

An employee was performing forestry-related burning operations. He had one burn torch in his hand and another attached to his fire line pack. The second torch failed; fuel got free of the drip torch and was ignited by the open flames. The employee suffered second- and third-degree burns to the backs of his legs.

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*Source: [OSHA Severe Injury Reports](https://www.osha.gov/severe-injury-reports) · MORVS · CC0 1.0*