We regret to pass on that a Firefighter was killed in the Line of Duty while operating at a major wind driven wildfires that tore through southern Alberta (Canada) last night.
34 year old Cyrpress County Firefighter James Hargrave, with the Walsh Fire Station, was killed in a crash between a fire tanker being driven by FF Hargrave and a pickup truck. He leaves behind his wife and several children. Our condolences to all-Rest in Peace.
Just across the border in Saskatchewan several Firefighters were also injured fighting wildfires in the southwestern part of the province.
Back here in the USA, 6 Firefighters were injured fighting fires in the Santa Cruz mountains of California.
More firefighters die or injured in crashes and during training than during firefighting.
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Alberta firefighter killed in water tender crash
James Hargrave. Photo from the office of Agriculture Minister Oneil Carlier.
A volunteer firefighter from southeast Alberta was killed in a vehicle accident Tuesday night October 17.
James Hargrave, a 34-year old firefighter with Cypress County Fire Services was working on a wildfire that started in Alberta and spread into Saskatchewan where it was moving toward the towns of Leader and Burstall.
Mr. Hargrave was driving a water tender that collided with a pickup. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said he died at the scene. The driver of the pickup had minor injuries.
“James was very community-minded and joined the fire services to help and protect residents far and near. He was a great father and will be dearly missed by his wife, children, extended family, friends, neighbours and fellow first responders,” Cypress County said in a news release. “He was a great father and will be dearly missed by his wife, children, extended family, friends neighbours and fellow first responders.”
Our sincere condolences go out to Mr. Hargrave’s family, coworkers, and friends.
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Driver of Water Truck Dies in Crash, Bringing Death Toll in NorCal Fires to 41
Posted 11:46 AM, October 16, 2017, by Los Angeles Times
Brandon Tolp, a San Bernardino-based firefighter, performs a firing operation to prevent the flames from crossing Highway 29 on Oct. 12, 2017. (Credit: Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)
The death toll climbed to 41 Monday when the driver of a water tender truck died in a rollover crash while helping to battle a series of wildfires ravaging Northern California, according to officials.
A private contract driver was delivering a tank full of water to help fight the Nuns fire when the large vehicle rolled over on Oakville Grade in Napa County about 7 a.m. Monday, killing the driver, according to Cal Fire and California Highway Patrol officials.
“This has been the deadliest week that we’ve experienced here in California… from wildfires,” Cal Fire spokesman Daniel Berlant said Monday.
In the last week, the fires have scorched more than 200,000 acres, destroyed or damaged more than 5,500 homes, displaced 100,000 people and killed at least 41.