The Fallen: Iron 44 Fallen Firefighters Anniversary

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

The Fallen: Iron 44 Fallen Firefighters Anniversary

Iron 44 Fallen Firefighter Remembrance

Anniversary of LODD: Nine Firefighters who died on the Iron Complex at Helispot 44 will be forever remembered.

Two pilots: James Ramage, 63, of Redding. Ramage, hired in 1984 as the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection's first helicopter pilot, was working as a check pilot for the Forest Service aboard the Sikorsky S-61N that crashed and burned soon after lifting off from a remote mountain ridgetop.

Copter co-pilot Roark Schwanenberg, 54, of Lostine, Ore., worked for Carson Helicopters, the Pennsylvania-based firm that owned the downed Sikorsky.(No photo found)

Seven Firefighters: Ten Grayback Forestry firefighters were on board when a helicopter went down near Junction City, Calif. on August 5, 2008. Three of the ten survived.
Recovery efforts were complicated by the remote location, extreme terrain and the ongoing wildfire in the forest.

The dead...
James Ramage, 63, from Redding Roark Schwanenberg, 54, from Lostine, Ore Shawn Blazer, 30 from Medford, Ore. Scott Charleson, 25 from Phoenix, Ore. Matthew Hammer, 23 from Grants Pass, Ore. Edrik Gomez, 19, from Ashland, Ore. Steven Renno, 21, Cave Junction, Ore Bryan Rich, 29, from Medford, Ore. David Steele, 19, from Ashland, Ore.

Cal Fire News extends condolences to all that have been forever affected by the accident that occurred within the Trinity Alps earlier this week one year ago.

The Wildland Firefighter Foundation, www.wffoundation.org, helps support the families of fallen firefighters and contributions are encouraged. Contributions should include a reference to the Iron 44 Incident.

Steven Renno

Shawn Blazer

Scott Charleson

Matthew Hammer

Edrik Gomez

Bryan Rich

David Steele

The injured and burned:

Jonathon Frohreich

Richard Schroeder

Michael Brown

Michael Brown
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Photos courtesy of Grayback Forestry - Grayback Forestry, Inc. - please visit the Grayback Web site for updates - About: For nearly thirty years, Grayback Forestry has provided resources and services to clients such as USFS, BLM, USF&W, private lumber companies, and private landowners. Our highly trained and experienced staff have expertise in wildland fire suppression, fuels management, forestry, prescribed fire and other emergency services.

3 comments:

callscott2000Wednesday, August 19, 2009 5:51:00 PM
It is always nice to remember those who have fallen.
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Jake CharlsonFriday, December 11, 2009 3:23:00 PM
And as brother of Scott Charlson, it's always nice to know that other people still remember what happened that day.
Thanks,
-Jake Cahrlson
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Bob BloggerFriday, December 11, 2009 3:41:00 PM
Jake I am so very sorry for your loss, I attended both funeral services wish I had meet you.

It must be so very hard this time of the year, condolences to your whole family...
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Wednesday, August 5, 2009