[Chainmail]

Reading between the lines of this report, this fire crew waited a bit too long to get to bare ground and get in their "Baked Potatoes" - the aluminum tents used as fire shelters. Most fire crews with experience identify emergency areas near them to go to shelter to be ready if the fire "crowns" (spreads fast across the tops of the threes) and traps them. With ground covered by debris and pine needles and though it wasn't mentioned, a high Haynes index (high temperature, low humidity) they were standing in a bonfire.

Also obviously they only had a helicopter water/retardant drops available - no fixed wing. When you have a really big, fast-moving fire that's "pluming" (forming a huge column of hot air and smoke) - there's no substitute for the big boys dropping water.

[5th MEB]

Finally; somebody else who has actually fought fire and understands the requirements for the use of a fire shelter.
In most cases like this you have a choice; fry like bacon, or bake like a potato.
I was on the Canyon Fire in 1968 ( Chilao Hotshots, Crew 1-5-3). The only thing that saved me and my crew pusher (we were out front hotspotting) when the whole mountainside blew up. To far away to get back to the line, found a rock ledge on the mountain side and got ready to burn.
Gary had an airnet radio and called in the bombers.
Back then the bombers were old WW-2 B-17’s and the pilots were absolute nut cases (how can any pilot get an aircraft that big 90 degrees angle from a 45 degree mountainside), best site in the world is the bomb doors opening and the pink snot coming at you like a tidal wave.
3 runs by the B-17’s and 3 to 6 acres around you with no fire, best feeling in the world.
Never did meet any of the pilots, if I had they would have just needed to mark the spot they wanted kissed.
Helicopters are good, they just don’t hold enough water or retardant, fire shelters are good for grass or light brush fires, in class 14 brush you are still usually going to die.