The U.S. Forest Service announced in a news release this morning that a firefighter was killed while working on the El Dorado Fire in Southern California Thursday, September 17, 2020. Neither the name nor the circumstances were released.
CBS News reported that the firefighter had been missing.
Crews had been trying to locate the firefighter, who went missing in the San Bernardino National Forest while fighting the El Dorado Fire, officials said Thursday night, CBS Los Angeles reported. The firefighter was found dead, according to San Bernardino National Forest Public Information Officer Kate Kramer.
This blaze which has burned about 19,000 acres and destroyed 4 homes was started by a smoke-generating pyrotechnic device used at a gender reveal party September 5, 2020.
The fire is northeast of Yucaipa just west of the Apple Fire that burned 33,000 acres 5 weeks ago.
Our sincere condolences go out to the firefighter’s family, friends, and co-workers.
Thanks and a tip of the hat go out to Tom.
Neither fire nor wind, birth nor death, can erase our good deeds.
– Buddha
My condolences to the family and to the fire crew working with this man. We are blessed that so many brave people put their lives on the line to aid in protecting us all. May God give his family peace knowing that this man gave his life for others.
Marilyn Crawford
Mesa, AZ
Good by my friend, I called you my son to this day… you and Cody were the best of A mod BBHS…. pleasure being your Captain 1 Alpha
My heart goes out to the family, to the fellow crewmembers, and to to you and the other leaders. May good memories of your important work together, the strong bond of the team, and the knowledge that the work you do is critical to so many help bring solace over the coming months.
I wonder, are the parents who staged the event now liable for negligent homicide or whatever the appropriate level of charge is?
I am not saying this applies in this instance, but in California an arsonist can be charged with first degree murder if someone dies on the fire they set, and if found guilty, can be given a death sentence. That has occurred twice, after the Esperanza and Old Fires. But the gender reveal folks did not intend to start a fire, so if they are charged, I expect it would be for a much less serious offense than murder.
https://www.pe.com/2016/10/27/when-it-comes-to-wildfire-murder-is-capital-punishment-a-deterrent/
Do we even know who the parents are yet? Who does this, uses fireworks in California during summer. Clearly not from around here.
My sincere love to you all! When I loose someone these scriptures help me. John 5:28,29, Revelation 21:3,4, Ecclesiasticus 9:5,10. To know they will be resurrected, Soon all things painful will be gone. They are at peace awaiting the resurrection. You are in my Prayers and heart. May Jehovah God’s Holy Spirit bring you peace and many wonderful memories until the resurrection. Love, Melanie
Prayers are being said for the family, friends and fellow firefighters who are having to deal with the loss of the firefighter who was killed doing his best to help make our country safe. May God be with all of them and give them strength. Hopefully, they will know that many of us so appreciate all the firefighters do, risking their lives to keep us safe. God bless them all!