| All,
That Fire Captain killed at the wildfire in Northern California was scouting the area when he became trapped by the wind-stoked wildfire conditions.
U.S. Forest Service Firefighter Captain David Ruhl was driving down a Modoc National Forest road in a vehicle Thursday when the fire suddenly grew and trapped him as he was trying to develop a plan of attack.
Captain Ruhl, of Rapid City, South Dakota, had been on temporary assignment since June in California, where he was an assistant fire management officer for the Big Valley Ranger District of the Modoc National. He had volunteered for the California assignment. While details are still incomplete, it appears that Captain Ruhl was one of several firefighters exploring the area when the small fire suddenly expanded. Crews fighting the now growing fire had lost communication with Ruhl on Thursday evening. His body was recovered yesterday.
The fire is now (Saturday) about 100 miles south of the Oregon border, had burned 2.8 square miles and was 5 percent contained. Erratic winds were challenging fire-containment efforts and moving the fire in all directions. Gusty winds are expected this evening, when lightning storms are also forecast,since 2011.
As stated yesterday, Ruhl was the engine Captain for the Mystic Ranger District of the Black Hills National Forest, where he supervised a crew that would be responsible for sizing up and suppressing new wildfires. He also oversaw crews as they contained prescribed burns intentionally set to control forest and prairie growth. More to follow as we mourn another horrible Line of Duty Death by fire. OUR CONDOLENCES: Our condolences to all those impacted by the Line of Duty Death of Marlboro Co (SC) Deputy Sheriff Del Daniels, who today, succumbed to injuries sustained 11 days earlier when the patrol SUV he was a passenger in left the roadway and overturned in a ditch near McColl. It is believed that the vehicle may have struck standing water in the roadway during a period of heavy rain. Deputy Daniels was transported to a hospital in Florence where he remained on life support until succumbing to his injuries.
Deputy Daniels had only served with the Marlboro County Sheriff's Office for one week when the crash occurred.
He also served as a firefighter with the Bennettsville City Fire Department.
Take Care. Be Careful. Pass it On. BillyG The Secret List 8-1-2015-1500 Hours www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com |
