Pictured: The brave firefighter and father of two killed in the wildfires sweeping California

  • U.S. Forest Service firefighter David Ruhl, 38, died while responding to the 'Frog Fire' in the Modoc National Forest, 100 miles south of Oregon 
  • He had been temporarily reassigned from his home state of South Dakota   
  • His body was recovered a day after he lost contact with co-workers
  • Ruhl was one of 8,000 firefighters deployed against 23 large fires ravaging some 88,000 acres across the state 

 

By Regina F. Graham For Dailymail.com

Published: 10:33 EST, 2 August 2015 | Updated: 14:24 EST, 2 August 2015

An experienced U.S. Forest Service firefighter has been killed while evaluating one of the erratic, wind-stoked wildfires in Northern California, the U.S. Forest Service said today.

David Ruhl was in a vehicle in the Modoc National Forest, scouting for ways to suppress the fire, when crews lost contact with him Thursday evening, Forest Service spokesman Ken Sandusky told the Associated Press.

His body was recovered Friday. An investigation has been launched to determine how he died.  

'We owe that not only to the family and to the friends and to the employees that worked with Dave, but we also owe it to the agency and the rest of the firefighters, so that whatever did happen won't be repeated if possible,' said Forest Service spokeswoman Heather Noel. 

Victim: Dave Ruhl, pictured with his wife Erin in a Facebook photo. The firefighter died in a wildfire in Modoc National Forest, some 100 miles south of the Oregon border

Victim: Dave Ruhl, pictured with his wife Erin in a Facebook photo. The firefighter died in a wildfire in Modoc National Forest, some 100 miles south of the Oregon border

It was not immediately known whether Ruhl had time to let others know by radio that he was in trouble, or whether he was overtaken by the flames too fast to call for help.

Ruhl, 38, had been on temporary assignment since June as an assistant fire management officer for the Big Valley Ranger District of the Modoc National Forest.

At home in South Dakota, he was the engine captain for Black Hills' Mystic Ranger District and supervised a crew responsible for sizing up and suppressing new wildfires. 

He lived in Rapid City with his wife and two young children. 

'This loss of life is tragic and heartbreaking,' said Forest Supervisor Amanda McAdams in a statement.

'Please keep the family and all of our Forest Service employees in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.' 

Ruhl and his wife (pictured) had two children. A co-worker said: 'He was a great husband and a great father'

Ruhl and his wife (pictured) had two children. A co-worker said: 'He was a great husband and a great father'

Ruhl's co-worker Scott Jacobson, who is a spokesman for the Black Hills National Forest in South Dakota, said his family had been devastated by his death.

'He was a great husband, a great father and a great employee,' Jacobson told the Associated Press. 'He was loved by everybody.' 

Jacobson said Ruhl went to California to expand his firefighting experience and improve his skills because 'he was so passionate about his job'.

He was raised in Wisconsin and previously worked as a correctional officer and for the U.S. Coast Guard. 

He decided to join the Forest Service in 2001 and had been working with Black Hills National Forest since 2011. 

Ruhl on a family outing. His death is the only casualty of the 8,000 firefighters who have been deployed against the 23 large fires burning across the drought-stricken state

Ruhl on a family outing. His death is the only casualty of the 8,000 firefighters who have been deployed against the 23 large fires burning across the drought-stricken state

So far Ruhl is the only casualty of the 8,000 firefighters who have been deployed against 23 large fires ravaging some 88,000 acres across the state. 

California was put into an official state of emergency by Governor Jerry Brown on Friday.

He also ordered that flags at the capitol in Sacramento be flown at half-mast following news of Ruhl's death. 

He said he and his wife Anne were 'saddened to learn of the tragic death of U.S. Forest Service Firefighter Dave Ruhl, who left his home state to help protect one of California’s majestic forests.

'Firefighter Ruhl will be remembered for his service and bravery and we extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues with the U.S. Forest Service.'

Ruhl in South Dakota last year, where he supervised a crew that sized up and suppressed new wildfires 

Ruhl in South Dakota last year, where he supervised a crew that sized up and suppressed new wildfires 

Black Hills National Forest supervisor Craig Bobzien said Ruhl was admired by his peers and that he cared deeply about his work.

'He was so highly respected, I think the kind of person that people just wanted to be around,' Bobzien said, his voice breaking.

The Frog Fire, located about 100 miles south of the Oregon border, had burned nearly three square miles and was five per cent contained by Saturday. 

The Forest Service said that erratic winds were making the fire-containment efforts challenging, causing the blaze to move in all directions.  

The 'Frog Fire' is burning about 100 miles south of the Oregon border in Modoc National Forest. Officials said that erratic winds were making the fire-containment efforts challenging

The 'Frog Fire' is burning about 100 miles south of the Oregon border in Modoc National Forest. Officials said that erratic winds were making the fire-containment efforts challenging

 

 

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