On April 6, 2006, three members of the Mammoth Mountain ski patrol team died after falling into a volcanic fumarole near the summit during safety operations.

This event highlighted the risks associated with volcanic gases in the area and prompted investigations into safety protocols, as well as memorial efforts to honor the victims.

[1] Volcanic activity in the region gives rise to fumaroles, which are natural vents that emit gases such as carbon dioxide, Nitrogen, and hydrogen sulfide.

A similar incident occurred in 1995 when a skier fell into a fumarole at Lassen Volcanic National Park and died from inhaling toxic gases.

A 1998 incident at nearby Horseshoe Lake also involved a cross-country skier who died from carbon dioxide poisoning after inhaling gas from one of the fumaroles.

[8] On Thursday, April 6, 2006, four Mammoth ski patrollers were working to secure a geothermal vent on Christmas Bowl run (east of Chair 3, now Face Lift Express).

The ski patrol had been digging out fencing that had been buried around the fumarole to prevent skiers from accessing the hazardous vent, which was small but deep.

[14][15] He held a master's degree in snow hydrology from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and worked as a researcher for the Institute for Computational Earth System Science and as a teaching at UCSB.

Originally from Granada Hills, California, he graduated from John F. Kennedy High School (Los Angeles) in 1989 and joined the United States Marine Corps.

[14] The aftermath of the incident raised questions regarding whether the geothermal vent should have been labeled a hazardous "confined space," which would have necessitated different safety protocols.

Confined spaces, as defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), are areas that pose specific dangers such as limited entry or exit points, poor ventilation, or the presence of hazardous materials like toxic gases.

Had the fumarole been designated a confined space, the ski patrol workers would have been required to use breathing equipment and to be tethered with a rope for safety.

"[6] Cal/OSHA's investigation found that Mammoth Mountain Ski Area failed to properly assess hazards, provide training, and implement safety measures.