The Romero Fire started in the late afternoon of October 6, it was partially on USFS and partially on Santa Barbara County land, a contract county; as a result, several fire districts were part of the initial attack. On the evening of October 7, a total of 3 dozers were being led by Tractor Boss Klepperich to finish constructing a portion of line during a change from the day shift to the night shift. The dozers were attempting to leave the area where they had been working when fire intensity picked up. One Dozer operator had his hands burned, and had to abandoned his machine. The 2 remaining dozers attempted to continue up the fuel break. Both dozers were overrun by the fire; the 2 men on the front dozer were critically burned, 2 USFS employees and the Dozer Operator on the rear dozer did not survive. A third USFS crewman died later.