Incident Name: Cedar Basin
Date: 7/10/2021
Personnel: Jeff Piechura
Age: 62
Agency/Organization: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM
Position: Air Tactical Group Supervisor
Summary:
In The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is working with other local, state, and federal agencies to respond to a wildland firefighting aircraft accident that claimed the lives of both crew on board.
The accident occurred at approximately noon on July 10 as part of initial attack efforts on the Cedar Basin Fire, located 14 miles east of Wikieup, in northwestern Arizona. Pilot Matthew Miller, 48, and Air Tactical Group Supervisor Jeff Piechura, 62, were on board a Beechcraft King Air C-90 aircraft, conducting visual reconnaissance and aviation command and control over the fire, when the accident occurred.
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“He lived and he worked on the path of something greater than himself, his wife and his family, his friends and his “It “O
“Piechura’s passing leaves a tremendous void in the lives of his beloved family, friends and the thousands of firefighters across the country he worked with,” the statement said. “His professional accomplishments are far too many to be captured in a single document and his personal impact on those who knew him is too immense to comprehend.”
“For those of us fortunate enough to work with Jeff, or ‘Chief Pie,’ we will forever miss his warm smile, firm handshake and endearing embrace he gave those around him,” it continued.
He is survived by his wife, identified only as Donna, and five children, according to the statement.
Contributors to this article: Michael Cox
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