Week of Remembrance 2025 has been spent in reflection of incidents that occurred during the 2015 fire season—10 years ago. Today, on the 31st anniversary of the South Canyon Fire, we also remember the Fallen 14 who lost their lives on Storm King Mountain in 1994. We honor you through our commitment to learning. You are not forgotten.
 

Incident Summary:

On August 19, 2015, USDA Forest Service firefighters Richard Wheeler, Andrew Zajac, and Tom Zbyszewski perished while engaged in initial attack on the Twisp River Fire. A fourth member of the crew was critically injured with severe burns. In addition, a Heavy Equipment Boss, a Heavy Equipment Boss Trainee from the Washington Department of Natural Resources, and a contract Dozer Operator were entrapped but survived with minor injuries. Numerous other fire personnel were also entrapped but survived without injuries.
 

Incident Summary:

The Sierra Fire was ignited by lightning on August 8, 2015, on the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit of the Forest Service in California. During the initial attack response, an organized crew (OC) was mobilized to the fire to assist finishing handline and mopping up the fire. Numerous hazard trees were identified within the fire perimeter. They were discussed at length and steps were taken to assess and mitigate these hazards while working the fire.

Incident Summary:

On the evening of July 30, 2015, 38-year-old Engine Captain, David “Dave” Ruhl, from the Black Hills National Forest, was entrapped and killed while scouting on foot during initial attack (IA) of the Frog Fire on the Modoc National Forest in Northeastern California. The lightning-caused fire was detected at 1732, and an hour after ignition began to rapidly spread through pine, juniper, brush, and grass fuels under the influence of outflow winds.