By it ending...
Sad.NPS wrote:
Andrew Palmer, an 18-year-old National Park Service firefighter based in Olympic National Park, was killed Friday while clearing trees in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest in northern California.
Director Bomar has ordered that all flags throughout the National Park System – except for those on the National Mall – be lowered to half staff and remain at half staff until the funeral. Employees should also wear black ribbons on their badges, if available, and may wear black mourning devices if in civilian clothes.
Director Bomar issued the following statement on behalf of the 20,000 men and women of the National Park Service.
"The collective hearts of the National Park Service go out to Andrew's family. While the loss of any member of the NPS team is a sad event, Andrew's life was only beginning. He was filled with the energy and passion of youth, and he sought to give back to our nation by protecting the land from the ravages of fire. He took on a difficult job, and served our nation well, in the finest tradition of the National Park Service. His courage and spirit will live on in all of us, and will inspire us to do all we can to preserve the special places in our nation."
Olympic National Park staff have been deeply saddened by the tragedy. Superintendent Karen Gustin added her sentiments to the director’s: “We mourn Andy’s death and offer our support and deepest condolences to his family.”
Palmer’s four-person engine crew was dispatched last Tuesday, July 22nd, to the Eagle Fire, part of the Iron Complex in Shasta-Trinity National Forest. Last Friday was their first day on the fire line. Palmer was fatally injured when he was struck by a falling tree.
An accident investigation team is being assembled and will be co-led by National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service personnel. More information will be released as it becomes available.
The rest of Palmer’s crew returned to Olympic National Park earlier on Saturday. A critical incident stress management team is now in the park to provide support and assistance to the park’s fire crew and staff.