Forest Service and Grant County Sheriff Joint News Release
By Mindy Gould on Friday, July 26th, 2024 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories
JOHN DAY, PRAIRIE CITY and HINES – (Released from the US Forest Service and the Grant County Sheriff’s Office)- It’s with deep sadness that we share the death of a member of the wildland firefighter community following the conclusion of
search efforts for a BLM contracted single engine airtanker (SEAT). The SEAT and its pilot went
missing last night while working in the vicinity of the Falls Fire. The fire was a new lightning
start located near Seneca, Oregon, on the Malheur National Forest.
The Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management are working with local law enforcement
and other agencies to investigate the circumstances and conditions related to the incident. A
Serious Accident Investigation Team will be involved to learn from what occurred.
Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.
Please join us in keeping the family, friends, and colleagues of our fallen firefighter in your
hearts.
