2018 California Wildfires: firefighter fatalities

I suspect that many of you know that as of the date I am writing this post that six firefighters have died fighting wildfires in California so far this fire season.


Transcript available here.

The identity of the sixth fire fighter was not known at the time of the NPR report, he was later identified as Matthew Burchett (42) from Utah, a battalion chief with the Draper City Fire Department, see this August 14th report from KQED for more information.

Please pause for a moment and offer your thoughts, meditations, prayers, and reflections for the following firefighters and their family, friends, colleagues and all who love them.

• Braden Varney, killed in the Ferguson Fire.
• Brian Hughes, killed in the Ferguson Fire.
• Andrew Brake, killed in auto accident on way to Carr Fire.
• Don Ray Smith, killed in the Carr Fire.
• Jeremy Stoke, killed in the Carr Fire.
• Matthew Burchett, killed in the Mendocino Complex Fire.

May your rest in peace Braden, Brian, Andrew, Don, Jeremy, and Matthew. Your service and sacrifice won't be forgotten. I pray especially for all of your loved ones who are mourning your passing.