Hotshot History

Honoring Those Who Gave All

Every year, brave men and women risk their lives to protect our forests, wildlife, and communities from devastating wildfires. Tragically, some make the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

Understanding Line of Duty Deaths (LODD)

LODD stands for Line of Duty Death. In the context of wildland firefighting, an LODD occurs when a firefighter loses their life as a direct result of their firefighting duties. This may include:

  • Deaths that occur during active fire suppression

  • Fatalities resulting from accidents while traveling to or from a fire scene

  • Deaths caused by fire-related injuries, even if they occur after the incident

  • Fatalities due to health issues directly related to firefighting activities, such as heart attacks brought on by extreme physical exertion or exposure to hazardous conditions

LODDs are a solemn reminder of the dangers inherent in wildland firefighting and the courage of those who choose to serve in this vital role.

Oregon Hotshot firefighter posing for a portrait at the edge of a wildfire, wearing full firefighting gear.

Remembering our Fallen Heroes

When a wildland firefighter dies in the line of duty, it is not only a profound loss for their loved ones but also for the entire wildland fire community. Their lives and sacrifices reflect the risks faced by those who step forward to serve. This memorial is dedicated to Hotshot wildland firefighters who lost their lives while serving to protect others. Their courage, dedication, and selflessness will never be forgotten.

The following list includes Hotshots who have died while on duty. Visit the linked resources to learn more about their lives and legacies.

  • Duane Gifford passed away during the Barrett Dam Fire on 07/09/1948 in Cleveland National Forest, California. Click here to learn more.

  • Boyd passed away during the Decker Fire on 08/08/1959 in Cleveland National Forest, California. Click here to learn more.

  • Nelson passed away during the Decker Fire on 08/08/1959 in Cleveland National Forest, California. Click here to learn more.

  • Steven passed away during the Decker Fire on 08/08/1959 in Cleveland National Forest, California. Click here to learn more.

  • Mike passed away during the Sierra Madre Fire on 10/30/1961 in Angeles National Forest, California. Click here to learn more.

  • Kenneth passed away during the Loop Fire on 11/01/1966 in Angeles National Forest, California. Click here to learn more.

  • Raymond passed away during the Loop Fire on 11/01/1966 in Angeles National Forest, California. Click here to learn more.

  • Frederick passed away during the Loop Fire on 11/01/1966 in Angeles National Forest, California. Click here to learn more.

  • John P. passed away during the Loop Fire on 11/01/1966 in Angeles National Forest, California. Click here to learn more.


  • Joel A. passed away during the Loop Fire on 11/01/1966 in Angeles National Forest, California. Click here to learn more.

  • Daniel J. passed away during the Loop Fire on 11/01/1966 in Angeles National Forest, California. Click here to learn more.


  • James A. passed away during the Loop Fire on 11/01/1966 in Angeles National Forest, California. Click here to learn more.


  • Carl J. passed away during the Loop Fire on 11/01/1966 in Angeles National Forest, California. Click here to learn more.


  • John D. passed away during the Loop Fire on 11/01/1966 in Angeles National Forest, California. Click here to learn more.


  • William J. passed away during the Loop Fire on 11/01/1966 in Angeles National Forest, California. Click here to learn more.


  • Michael R. passed away during the Loop Fire on 11/01/1966 in Angeles National Forest, California. Click here to learn more.


  • Stephen passed away during the Loop Fire on 11/01/1966 in Angeles National Forest, California. Click here to learn more.


  • Richard passed away during the Rabbit Peak Fire on 07/14/1967 in Angeles National Forest, California. Click here to learn more.


  • Steven passed away during the Fork Fire on 09/23/1970 in Angeles National Forest, California. Click here to learn more.

  • Ronald F. passed away during the Fork Fire on 09/23/1970 in Angeles National Forest, California. Click here to learn more.


  • William J. passed away during the Fork Fire on 09/23/1970 in Angeles National Forest, California. Click here to learn more.


  • Anthony A. passed away during the Battlement Creek Fire on 07/17/1976 in Grand Junction District, Bureau of Land Management, Colorado. Click here to learn more.


  • Stephen H. passed away during the Battlement Creek Fire on 07/17/1976 in Grand Junction District, Bureau of Land Management, Colorado. Click here to learn more.


  • Scott L. passed away during the Battlement Creek Fire on 07/17/1976 in Grand Junction District, Bureau of Land Management, Colorado. Click here to learn more.


  • Kathi Julie passed away during the South Canyon Fire on 07/06/1994 in Grand Junction District, Bureau of Land Management, Colorado. Click here to learn more.


  • Tamera Jean passed away during the South Canyon Fire on 07/06/1994 in Grand Junction District, Bureau of Land Management, Colorado. Click here to learn more.


  • Scott A. passed away during the South Canyon Fire on 07/06/1994 in Grand Junction District, Bureau of Land Management, Colorado. Click here to learn more.


  • Levi passed away during the South Canyon Fire on 07/06/1994 in Grand Junction District, Bureau of Land Management, Colorado. Click here to learn more.


  • Douglas Michael passed away during the South Canyon Fire on 07/06/1994 in Grand Junction District, Bureau of Land Management, Colorado. Click here to learn more.


  • Terri Ann passed away during the South Canyon Fire on 07/06/1994 in Grand Junction District, Bureau of Land Management, Colorado. Click here to learn more.


  • Bonnie Jean passed away during the South Canyon Fire on 07/06/1994 in Grand Junction District, Bureau of Land Management, Colorado. Click here to learn more.


  • Robert Alan passed away during the South Canyon Fire on 07/06/1994 in Grand Junction District, Bureau of Land Management, Colorado. Click here to learn more.


  • Jon Roy passed away during the South Canyon Fire on 07/06/1994 in Grand Junction District, Bureau of Land Management, Colorado. Click here to learn more.


  • Michelle passed away during Crew Physical Training on 07/09/1996 in Globe, Arizona. Click here to learn more.

  • Michael Todd passed away during the North Stansbury Fire on 08/23/2000 in Salt Lake Field Office, Bureau of Land Management, Utah. Click here to learn more.


  • Rodger passed away during the North Stansbury Fire on 08/23/2000 in Salt Lake Field Office, Bureau of Land Management, Utah. Click here to learn more.


  • Alan passed away during Travel Status Home on 04/24/2004 in West Memphis, Arkansas. Click here to learn more.


  • Daniel passed away during the Grant West Prescribed Fire on 10/02/2004 in Kings Canyon National Park, California. Click here to learn more.


  • Michael passed away during the Walla Valley Fire on 06/29/2008 in Flagstaff, Arizona. Click here to learn more.


  • Caleb passed away during the CR 337 Fire on 07/07/2011 in Palo Pinto County, Texas. Click here to learn more.


  • Deon passed away during the Diamond Fire on 07/23/2011 in Fort Apache Indian Reservation, Arizona. Click here to learn more.


  • Andrew passed away during the Yarnell Hill Fire on 06/30/2013 in Yarnell, Arizona. Click here to learn more.

  • Robert passed away during the Yarnell Hill Fire on 06/30/2013 in Yarnell, Arizona. Click here to learn more.

  • Travis passed away during the Yarnell Hill Fire on 06/30/2013 in Yarnell, Arizona. Click here to learn more.


  • Dustin passed away during the Yarnell Hill Fire on 06/30/2013 in Yarnell, Arizona. Click here to learn more.

  • Christopher passed away during the Yarnell Hill Fire on 06/30/2013 in Yarnell, Arizona. Click here to learn more.


  • Eric passed away during the Yarnell Hill Fire on 06/30/2013 in Yarnell, Arizona. Click here to learn more.


  • Grant passed away during the Yarnell Hill Fire on 06/30/2013 in Yarnell, Arizona. Click here to learn more.


  • Sean passed away during the Yarnell Hill Fire on 06/30/2013 in Yarnell, Arizona. Click here to learn more.


  • Scott passed away during the Yarnell Hill Fire on 06/30/2013 in Yarnell, Arizona. Click here to learn more.

  • Wade passed away during the Yarnell Hill Fire on 06/30/2013 in Yarnell, Arizona. Click here to learn more.


  • John passed away during the Yarnell Hill Fire on 06/30/2013 in Yarnell, Arizona. Click here to learn more.


  • Anthony passed away during the Yarnell Hill Fire on 06/30/2013 in Yarnell, Arizona. Click here to learn more.


  • Jesse passed away during the Yarnell Hill Fire on 06/30/2013 in Yarnell, Arizona. Click here to learn more.


  • Joe passed away during the Yarnell Hill Fire on 06/30/2013 in Yarnell, Arizona. Click here to learn more.


  • Travis passed away during the Yarnell Hill Fire on 06/30/2013 in Yarnell, Arizona. Click here to learn more.


  • William passed away during the Yarnell Hill Fire on 06/30/2013 in Yarnell, Arizona. Click here to learn more.


  • Clayton passed away during the Yarnell Hill Fire on 06/30/2013 in Yarnell, Arizona. Click here to learn more.


  • Kevin passed away during the Yarnell Hill Fire on 06/30/2013 in Yarnell, Arizona. Click here to learn more.


  • Garret passed away during the Yarnell Hill Fire on 06/30/2013 in Yarnell, Arizona. Click here to learn more.


  • Justin R. passed away during the Strawberry Fire on 08/13/2016 in Great Basin National Park, Utah. Click here to learn more.


  • The U.S. Hotshots Association considers the death of Christopher “Krs” an injury-linked LODD. He passed away on 06/29/2016 from a house fire in Philomath, Oregon. Click here to learn more.


  • Brent passed away during the Lolo Peak Fire on 08/02/2017 in Lolo National Forest, Montana. Click here to learn more.


  • Brian passed away during the Ferguson Fire on 07/29/2018 in Sierra National Forest, California. Click here to learn more.


  • Charlie passed away during the El Dorado Fire on 09/17/2020 in San Bernardino National Forest, California. Click here to learn more.


  • Collin passed away during the Big Swamp Fire on 08/10/2022 in Willamette National Forest, Oregon. Click here to learn more.


Know of a Hotshot Line of Duty Death missing from our list?

Please complete this form to help us respectfully document and honor the lives of Hotshots who have died in the line of duty. Submissions are reviewed by the History Committee at least twice a year.

Sunlight breaking through thick wildfire smoke, creating a hopeful scene amidst the haze.

Supporting Families

Our organization is committed to supporting Hotshots and Hotshot families. Through financial assistance and ongoing community support, we strive to honor the memory of those lost by caring for those they left behind.