Background: On Monday, March 30, at 3 pm a helicopter crashed during a prescribed fire on the De Soto National Forest in southern Mississippi. Confirmed fatalities were Steve Cobb, 55 of Wiggins, Mississippi, and Brandon Ricks, 40 of Blanchard, Oklahoma. A third firefighter, Brendan Mullen, 42 of Helena, Montana, received extensive injuries.
Steve Cobb worked on the De Soto National Forest as an engineering technician. Steve is survived by his wife Cynthia Cobb, daughter Jenna Parsons, son Adam Cobb, and three grandchildren.
Brandon Ricks was a pilot from T & M Aviation Inc. of Abbeville, Louisiana. Brandon is survived by his wife, Coleen, daughter Kaitlyn, and son Hunter.
Brendan Mullen was temporarily assigned to the De Soto National Forest at the time of the crash. He is from Helena, MT where he works for the Helena National Forest as a forestry technician working with helicopters. Brendan’s family set up a webpage for words of encouragement.
Current Status: Investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration continue. Several teams and U.S. Forest Service Regional Forester Tony Tooke are on site to provide support for the victims, their families, and co-workers.
The Forest Service created a De Soto Aviation Event Firefighters Memorial webpage with more information about each firefighter.
Brendan Mullen’s condition is stable and he continues to improve.
Future Events: Visitation services for Steve Cobb are Friday, April 3, from 4 pm to 8 pm, and the funeral service is scheduled for Saturday April 4, at 11 am at the First Baptist Church, 219 Second Street North, Wiggins, Mississippi.
Visitation for Brandon Ricks will be Friday at Eisenhour Funeral Home in Blanchard, Oklahoma. His funeral service will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Blanchard, Oklahoma.
Brenden Mullen is scheduled for skin graft surgery tomorrow.
