Incident Name: returning from the Railroad Fire (on the Sierra National Forest)
Date: 08/31/2017
Personnel: Gary Helming
Age: 47
Agency/Organization: US Forest Service
Position: Battalion Chief, firefighter
Summary: While returning from an assignment on the Railroad Fire in the Sierra National Forest, Battalion Chief Gary Helming was killed when a Ford F-350 traveling in the opposite direction suffered a tire failure, crossed the middle of the road, and struck Chief Helming’s vehicle head-on.
Photo from 2015, compliments of the USFS:
Maps
Incident Location: Highway 41 just south of state Route 33 in Kings County (Vicinity of U.S. National Grid: 10S GE 6631 7520)
According to Wildfire Today, the accident site and impromptu memorial is less than 2 miles south of the marker.
Reports, Documentation, Lessons Learned
- Kings County Coroner’s Office and the California Highway Patrol: Accident Report (when it becomes available)
Wildlandfire.com Links:
Media Articles and Reports
- Firefighter killed in crash while returning home from Sierra fireAug 31, 2017 | Online Article (KSBY)
Officials with the Los Padres National Forest announced Thursday that the Los Padres National Forest, Santa Lucia District Battalion Chief Gary Helming was killed in a crash while returning home from the Railroad Fire in the Sierra National Forest.
The crash happened just before 8:30 a.m. on Highway 41, south of Highway 33 in Kings County.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the 47-year-old died when his vehicle was hit head-on by another car that blew a tire. The driver of the other vehicle suffered major injuries and was taken by helicopter to a local hospital.
Helming reportedly lived in Shell Beach and was stationed in Santa Maria.
He began his career with the Forest Service 22 years ago. He is survived by a wife and three children.
- Pismo man killed in Hwy. 41 crash identified as U.S. Forest Service fire battalion chiefAugust 31, 2017 | Online Article (Tom Bolton, Fresno Bee)
The Pismo Beach man who was killed Thursday morning in a collision on Highway 41 in Kings County was a Santa Maria-based U.S. Forest Service battalion chief.
Gary Helming, 47, sustained fatal injuries in the collision, which occurred south of Highway 33, according to the Kings County Coroner’s Office and the California Highway Patrol. Assigned to the Santa Lucia Ranger District in northern Santa Barbara and southern San Luis Obispo counties, Helming was on his way home from an assignment on the 1,900-acre Railroad Fire burning along Highway 41, according to Andrew Madsen, a U.S. Forest Service spokesman.
- Roadside memorial for Gary HelmingA roadside memorial is growing for U.S. Forest Service firefighter who was killed in a vehicle accident August 31 in California.
10/25/2017 | Wildfire Today
Photos, Videos, & Tributes
- Los Padres Deputy Forest Supervisor Ken Heffner:“Our hearts go out to Gary’s family, the Forest Service and the wildland fire community — he exemplified the highest standards of honor and professionalism. Gary was a tremendous leader, partner and thoughtful person who engaged with everyone. He will be greatly missed.”
- USFA Memorial Database: Gary Dwayne Helming
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