Forest Service Firefighter Killed in the Line of Duty by Falling Tree

The Great Basin National Park, Lolo National Forest, Ely District Bureau of Land Management and White Pine County officials are deeply saddened to confirm a Forest Service firefighter lost his life while working on the Strawberry Fire near Baker, Nevada.

The deceased is Justin Beebe of Bellows Falls, Vermont. He is a member of the Lolo Hotshots based in Region 1 with the US Forest Service. The fire crew member succumbed to injuries suffered when struck by a tree during firefighting efforts on Saturday afternoon. The Forest Service is investigating this line-of-duty death.

“This loss of life is tragic and heartbreaking,” said Park Superintendent, Steve Mietz “Please keep the family and Forest Service employees in your thoughts and prayers during this time.”

The Strawberry Fire started on Aug. 8 .

A funeral procession was held in Las Vegas on Wednesday as firefighters with the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Clark County, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, and a variety of other local agencies payed their respects to the fallen firefighter.