[Following is a news release issued Aug. 6 by the Josephine County Sheriff.]
It is with great sadness that we inform you of a firefighter fatality that occurred this morning at approximately 7:20 a.m. on the Big Windy Complex. The firefighter, 19-year-old Jessie Trader, was returning from the evening shift when the water tender he was driving hit the embankment and rolled over on the Bear Camp Road near Soldier Camp. Firefighters in vehicles driving behind Jessie immediately stopped to assist. An advanced life support ambulance arrived on scene within minutes and life flight was quickly launched; however, all efforts to save Jessie were unsuccessful.
Sheriff Gilbertson responded to the scene and confirmed that the driver of the water tender was deceased.
The water tender which is owned by “Ace Earthmoving” was being utilized by “County Fire”, a private fire suppression company serving the Merlin area and contracted to assist with the Big Windy Fire at the time.
Deceased Victim:
Jesse A. Trader DOB: 11/29/93
The cause of the accident is still under investigation.
[NOTE: The 9,192-acre Big Windy Complex was ignited by lightning on July 26. The fires are burning in steep, rugged terrain. The complex is uncontained. Currently there are 1,159 personnel fighting the complex. ODF is leading the suppression effort.]