Two firefighters injured in Oklahoma engine rollover, one died a month later

Rollover of Balko FD Engine 5, Oklahoma
Rollover of Balko FD Engine 5 — Oklahoma, April 6, 2022. Photo courtesy of OK Forestry Services.

Updated at 8:30 p.m. CDT May 9, 2022

Just a few hours after we saw the notice from the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center and wrote the piece below about the rollover of an engine in Oklahoma on April 5, Mark informed us that one of the two injured firefighters, Jason Smith, passed away yesterday from his injuries.

Below is an excerpt from a Facebook post by Western Oklahoma Fire Coverage on May 8:

In memory of fallen Firefighter Jason Smith with the Balko Fire department. Just 33 days ago, while fighting the Beaver River Fire in Beaver County, two Balko firefighters were injured when their truck rolled over off of a 6’ embankment. They were flown to Lubbock, TX to the burn unit to receive treatment. Jason was finally able to come home at the end of last month, but today he lost the battle and succumbed to his injuries. Jason leaves behind his wife, 2 daughters and a 3 1/2 month old grandson Emmett that he was very proud of.

We send our sincere condolences to the family, friends, and co-workers of Mr. Smith.


5:08 p.m. CDT May 9, 2022

Two firefighters were injured and later burned in a fire engine rollover in Oklahoma. It happened in the state’s panhandle April 5 on the Beaver River Fire during the initial attack on a vegetation fire 11 miles west of Beaver. (This information was contained in a “24-hour report” about the incident which was distributed by the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center.)

Balko Volunteer Fire Department Engine 5 with two occupants veered slightly off the road onto a gravel shoulder that collapsed. As a result, the engine slid off an embankment approximately six feet in depth and rolled over on its top. Subsequently, an active area of the fire switched directions as it was impacted by strong variable winds. Prior to the fire arriving at the accident scene both occupants were able to self-extricate. However, they sustained 1st and 2nd degree burns to their arms and hands as the fire burned past. In addition, one victim possibly suffered a concussion during the vehicle rollover. 

Both firefighters were evacuated from the incident by law enforcement and later flown by air ambulance to a burn center in Lubbock, Texas. Initially the victims were listed in critical condition. When the 24-hour report was issued the next day on April 6, 2022 they were conscious and in ‘Yellow’ status at the burn center. 

Rollover of Balko FD Engine 5, Oklahoma
Rollover of Balko FD Engine 5 — Oklahoma, April 6, 2022. Photo courtesy of OK Forestry Services.

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Author: Bill Gabbert

After working full time in wildland fire for 33 years, he continues to learn, and strives to be a Student of Fire.

3 thoughts on “Two firefighters injured in Oklahoma engine rollover, one died a month later”

  1. COPIED from BALKO FACEBOOK:
    In memory of fallen Firefighter Jason Smith with the Balko Fire department.

    Just 33 days ago, while fighting the Beaver River Fire in Beaver County, 2 Balko firefighters were injured when their truck rolled over off of a 6’ embankment. They were flown to Lubbock, Tx to the burn unit to receive treatment. Jason was finally able to come home at the end of last month, but today he lost the battle and succumbed to his injuries. Jason leaves behind his wife, 2 daughters and a 3 1/2 month old grandson Emmett that he was very proud of.

    Chief Robert Marshall of the Balko Fire Department has offered to take anything sent to the fire department over to the Smith family. Earlier in the original post, Chief thanked everyone for their kind words and prayers and said Jason was a really good guy that he seen do a lot of things for their community that made him proud.

    If you would like to send cards of condolences or anything else, please send them to:

    Balko Fire Department
    Jason Smith Family
    RT 2 Box 203
    Balko, OK 73931

    Couldn’t decide what to use for Jason so just used them all.

    God bless and be safe.

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  2. Bill, Please update this article with current information. Unfortunately a report came out today (May 9,2022) that one of the firefighters passed away from complications related to this incident.

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