|
|
N USDA Forest Service
Shasta-Trinity National Forest 3644 Avtech Parkway, Redding, CA 96002 ● Voice (530) 226-2500 ● Web: www.fs.fed.us/r5/shastatrinity
Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest 3040 Biddle Road, Medford, OR 97504 ● Voice (541) 618-2200 ● Web: www.fs.fed.us/r6/rogue-siskiyou
|
|
Fallen Firefighter Tribute Scheduled Friday
Medford, Ore. – A tribute to honor the fallen firefighters, their families and friends is scheduled for Friday, August 15 at the Lithia Motors Amphitheater at the Jackson County Fairgrounds and Expo Park in Medford, Oregon.
Scheduled speakers include:
Marvin Brown – State Forester, Oregon Department of Forestry
Steve Metheny – Carson Helicopters, Inc.
Abigail Kimbell – Chief, United States Forest Service
Congressman Greg Walden – U.S. House of Representatives, Oregon
Mike Wheelock – President, Grayback Forestry, Inc.
Tom Harbour – Director, Fire and Aviation Management, United States Forest Service
The amphitheater is located at 1 Peninger Road in Central Point, OR and is accessible from Exit 33 (Pine Street) off Interstate 5.
Gates at the amphitheater will open at 8:30 a.m. and the program is scheduled from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. The tribute will include a family procession, a ceremony, and a private family reception.
The procession to the Jackson County Fairgrounds and Expo Park will begin at Rogue Valley Mall at approximately 9 a.m. and proceed onto East McAndrews Road, Biddle Road and East Pine Street to the Lithia Motors Amphitheater. Those not wishing to view the processional should avoid these areas due to heavy traffic.
Public parking for people wishing to attend the tribute is available at Gate 4 at the Expo Center. Temperatures on Friday are expected to top 100 degrees. Those planning to attend the tribute are reminded to wear appropriate clothing and take the necessary safety precautions.
Nine firefighters perished on August 5 in a helicopter accident on the Buckhorn Fire, part of the Iron Complex, about 15 miles northwest of Junction City, Calif. The tribute is being organized by Grayback Forestry, Carson Helicopters, and the U.S. Forest Service with assistance from the interagency fire community.
Additionally, the Wildland Firefighter Foundation, www.wffoundation.org, helps support the families of fallen firefighters and contributions are encouraged. Contributions should include a reference to the Iron 44 Incident.
Cards and letters can be sent to the following locations:
Grayback Forestry Carson Helicopters
1570 Avenue F. 828 Brookside Blvd
White City, OR 97503 Grants Pass, OR 97526
Shasta-Trinity National Forest Patient William Coultas
Attn: Fallen Firefighters Support UC Davis Burn Center – Burn Unit
3644 Avtech Parkway 2315 Stockton Blvd
Redding, CA 96002 Sacramento, CA 95817
Additional information is also available at the following websites:
Grayback Forestry, Inc. – www.graybackforestry.com
Carson Helicopter – www.carsonhelicopter.com
Wildland Firefighter Foundation – www.wffoundation.org
Shasta Trinity National Forest – www.fs.fed.us/r5/shastatrinity
Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest - www.fs.fed.us/r6/rogue-siskiyou
The fallen firefighters are:
Edrik Gomez – Grayback Forestry
Scott Charlson – Grayback Forestry
David Steele – Grayback Forestry
Bryan Rich – Grayback Forestry
Matt Hammer – Grayback Forestry
Shawn Blazer – Grayback Forestry
Steve ‘Caleb’ Renno – Grayback Forestry
Roark Schwanenberg – Carson Helicopters
Jim Ramage – United States Forest Service
The injured firefighters are:
Michael Brown – Grayback Forestry
Rick Schroeder – Grayback Forestry
Jonathan Frohreich – Grayback Forestry
William Coultas – Carson Helicopters
###