From MTN News: MISSOULA -
It's an example of selfless sacrifice -- a California firefighter working to protect Lolo residents from an aggressive wildfire dies in a tragic accident.
Authorities say that Brent Witham, 29, of Mentone, California was a veteran California firefighter who was killed by a falling tree on the Lolo Peak Fire.
The accident happened on Wednesday afternoon in the area north of Florence where crews have been constructing a line of defense against the fire.
Witham was a six-year veteran of the U.S. Forest Service and a member of the Vista Grande Hotshot crew stationed at the San Bernardino National Forest since 2015.
Medical crews were called around 3 p.m. Wednesday after a firefighter was been struck by a tree while working with a crew in the McClain Creek area south of Lolo.
Efforts were made to get Witham down to a landing zone where he could be evacuated by helicopter. Witham was given CPR on the scene of the accident and airlifted to a Missoula hospital, but could not be revived.
This marks the second time this summer that a firefighter has been killed while working on a Western Montana wildfire. Trenton Johnson of Missoula died on July 19 after he was hit by a falling tree while working on a fire near Seeley Lake.
USFS Chief Tom Tidwell urged wildland firefighters to take care of themselves and each other as they face wildfires across the West.
California Governor Edmund Brown Jr. also weighed in on Witham's death, saying flags in his state will be flown at half staff in his honor.
"Anne and I extend our condolences to Firefighter Brent Witham’s family, friends and colleagues in this difficult time. It’s the work of brave firefighters like Brent that keeps our communities safe and we are deeply grateful for his service," Brown said in a statement.
Ravalli County Sheriff Steve Holton called for a moment of silence to honor Witham on Thursday evening as upwards of 200 community members and firefighters gathered for the latest update on the Lolo Peak Fire.
Sheriff Holton noted that accidents can happen even with the best of planning, and asked people to say a prayer for the Witham and his family.
Gov. Steve Bullock memorialized Witham on Thursday, asking the public to keep firefighters in their hearts. "Lisa and I send our deepest condolences to the friends, family, and colleagues of Brent Witham," Gov. Bullock wrote in an email. "Mr. Witham lost his life protecting the people of Montana and we will remember him for his courage and sacrifice."
Above article paraphrased Information from KPAX TV Article & Missoulian
-------------------------------------------
8/6/2017
By Jim Steinberg, The Sun
MENTONE Brent Witham – the 29-year-old Mentone firefighter who was killed earlier this (week) battling a blaze in Montana – always could bring a smile to your face, his family says.
On Saturday, Witham’s family released a statement about the Redlands East Valley High graduate who worked with the Idyllwild-based Vista Grande Hotshots U.S. Forest Service crew.
Witham was killed Wednesday, Aug. 2, when a tree fell on him battling the Lolo Peak fire burning in the Lolo National Forest southwest of Missoula.
(His) Redlands East Valley High counselor remembers fallen firefighter who ‘did the right thing’
“We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of care and support that family, friends and community members have expressed regarding Brent’s recent passing,” according to the family’s statement. “His death was a terrible shock to all of us and we are still navigating through the disbelief.
“It helps to know how many lives Brent touched with his great sense of humor and ability to make others laugh, his way of turning people’s weaknesses into strength, and his overall love for life,” the statement continued.
The family thanked the community for its condolences.
On Friday, a U.S. Forest Service team arrived to help plan Witham’s memorial service; no date has been set.
The team, the National Incident Management Organization, primarily manage wildfires, but also handles other situations that require making order of chaos – in this case, organizing a memorial service.
***************************************
From Witham Memorial Blog Page:
Aug. 6, 2017, 3:30 pm, San Bernardino, CA - Vista Grande Hotshot Brent Witham, who was killed August 2, 2017 while working on the Lolo Peak Fire in Montana, is coming home Monday, August 7th. Brent will be escorted home from Montana to his family, arriving at the San Bernardino air tanker base about 3:00pm. He will be escorted the entire way by Forest Service law enforcement and Honor Guard, and received by his family, his crew, San Bernardino National Forest employees, and various interagency engines and personnel.
Brent will be honored with a processional escort to the Montecito Memorial Park & Mortuary in Colton, CA. An Honor Watch will be in place with Brent until interment. The procession route will move from the air tanker base, along 3rd Street, south along Tippecanoe in front of the Forest Service Headquarters, west on Orange Show and south on Waterman to the Montecito Memorial Park & Mortuary at 3520 E Washington St, Colton, CA 92354. Those who would like to honor Brent are encouraged to view the processional from any point along the route. This route is tentative pending final approval and the processional is expected to take about an hour.
The Lolo National Forest will be live streaming a processional and escort happening in Montana as Brent is moved to the plane that will bring him home. Watch at https://www.facebook.com/lolonationalforest/. Start time is expected to be at 8:00 am Pacific time.
The memorial service itself has been scheduled for Thursday, August 10th at the National Orange Show, Orange Pavilion, Arrowhead entrance, San Bernardino, CA 92408. Anyone who would like to attend is welcome.
Condolences for the family can be mailed to the San Bernardino National Forest Supervisor’s Office, 602 South Tippecanoe, San Bernardino, CA 92408. Emails can be sent to [email protected]. Please put “CONDOLENCES” in the subject line. All correspondence will be give to Brent’s family. For those who would like to remember Brent with a donation, a Memorial Fund is being set up.
July 18, 2019 - NBC Montana News Article:
Just two years ago, a member of the Witham family was taken by the Lolo Peak Fire. Now a piece of Brent Witham, the California firefighter who was killed battling the blaze, will stay in Lolo.
A portion of Highway 12 was dedicated to Witham on Thursday.
Witham’s family, dozens of service members, representatives from Montana’s delegation and more crowded into the Lolo Steakhouse parking lot to honor the late firefighter.
Witham’s cousin, Mike Costello, describes him as a selfless person. He said Witham loved being a firefighter and had, “a unique ability to be there for people who needed him.”
Costello also said the entire family lived a life of service. Costello and his son were also firefighters. Witham’s father is a retired sheriff. His mother is an Army veteran, and his grandfather was on one of the first Hotshot crews ever.
Montana State Sen. Diane Sands said the quality of selflessness and wanting to help others is one that she sees in many Forest Service workers.
"I think it’s important that we recognize that sacrifice. I think we often take it for granted, because we do live in fire country. I hope that when people look at this stretch of road along Highway 12, they don’t just think of Brent's sacrifice, but the sacrifice of all the Forest Service men and women out there,” said Sands.
It's an example of selfless sacrifice -- a California firefighter working to protect Lolo residents from an aggressive wildfire dies in a tragic accident.
Authorities say that Brent Witham, 29, of Mentone, California was a veteran California firefighter who was killed by a falling tree on the Lolo Peak Fire.
The accident happened on Wednesday afternoon in the area north of Florence where crews have been constructing a line of defense against the fire.
Witham was a six-year veteran of the U.S. Forest Service and a member of the Vista Grande Hotshot crew stationed at the San Bernardino National Forest since 2015.
Medical crews were called around 3 p.m. Wednesday after a firefighter was been struck by a tree while working with a crew in the McClain Creek area south of Lolo.
Efforts were made to get Witham down to a landing zone where he could be evacuated by helicopter. Witham was given CPR on the scene of the accident and airlifted to a Missoula hospital, but could not be revived.
This marks the second time this summer that a firefighter has been killed while working on a Western Montana wildfire. Trenton Johnson of Missoula died on July 19 after he was hit by a falling tree while working on a fire near Seeley Lake.
USFS Chief Tom Tidwell urged wildland firefighters to take care of themselves and each other as they face wildfires across the West.
California Governor Edmund Brown Jr. also weighed in on Witham's death, saying flags in his state will be flown at half staff in his honor.
"Anne and I extend our condolences to Firefighter Brent Witham’s family, friends and colleagues in this difficult time. It’s the work of brave firefighters like Brent that keeps our communities safe and we are deeply grateful for his service," Brown said in a statement.
Ravalli County Sheriff Steve Holton called for a moment of silence to honor Witham on Thursday evening as upwards of 200 community members and firefighters gathered for the latest update on the Lolo Peak Fire.
Sheriff Holton noted that accidents can happen even with the best of planning, and asked people to say a prayer for the Witham and his family.
Gov. Steve Bullock memorialized Witham on Thursday, asking the public to keep firefighters in their hearts. "Lisa and I send our deepest condolences to the friends, family, and colleagues of Brent Witham," Gov. Bullock wrote in an email. "Mr. Witham lost his life protecting the people of Montana and we will remember him for his courage and sacrifice."
Above article paraphrased Information from KPAX TV Article & Missoulian
-------------------------------------------
8/6/2017
By Jim Steinberg, The Sun
MENTONE Brent Witham – the 29-year-old Mentone firefighter who was killed earlier this (week) battling a blaze in Montana – always could bring a smile to your face, his family says.
On Saturday, Witham’s family released a statement about the Redlands East Valley High graduate who worked with the Idyllwild-based Vista Grande Hotshots U.S. Forest Service crew.
Witham was killed Wednesday, Aug. 2, when a tree fell on him battling the Lolo Peak fire burning in the Lolo National Forest southwest of Missoula.
(His) Redlands East Valley High counselor remembers fallen firefighter who ‘did the right thing’
“We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of care and support that family, friends and community members have expressed regarding Brent’s recent passing,” according to the family’s statement. “His death was a terrible shock to all of us and we are still navigating through the disbelief.
“It helps to know how many lives Brent touched with his great sense of humor and ability to make others laugh, his way of turning people’s weaknesses into strength, and his overall love for life,” the statement continued.
The family thanked the community for its condolences.
On Friday, a U.S. Forest Service team arrived to help plan Witham’s memorial service; no date has been set.
The team, the National Incident Management Organization, primarily manage wildfires, but also handles other situations that require making order of chaos – in this case, organizing a memorial service.
***************************************
From Witham Memorial Blog Page:
Aug. 6, 2017, 3:30 pm, San Bernardino, CA - Vista Grande Hotshot Brent Witham, who was killed August 2, 2017 while working on the Lolo Peak Fire in Montana, is coming home Monday, August 7th. Brent will be escorted home from Montana to his family, arriving at the San Bernardino air tanker base about 3:00pm. He will be escorted the entire way by Forest Service law enforcement and Honor Guard, and received by his family, his crew, San Bernardino National Forest employees, and various interagency engines and personnel.
Brent will be honored with a processional escort to the Montecito Memorial Park & Mortuary in Colton, CA. An Honor Watch will be in place with Brent until interment. The procession route will move from the air tanker base, along 3rd Street, south along Tippecanoe in front of the Forest Service Headquarters, west on Orange Show and south on Waterman to the Montecito Memorial Park & Mortuary at 3520 E Washington St, Colton, CA 92354. Those who would like to honor Brent are encouraged to view the processional from any point along the route. This route is tentative pending final approval and the processional is expected to take about an hour.
The Lolo National Forest will be live streaming a processional and escort happening in Montana as Brent is moved to the plane that will bring him home. Watch at https://www.facebook.com/lolonationalforest/. Start time is expected to be at 8:00 am Pacific time.
The memorial service itself has been scheduled for Thursday, August 10th at the National Orange Show, Orange Pavilion, Arrowhead entrance, San Bernardino, CA 92408. Anyone who would like to attend is welcome.
Condolences for the family can be mailed to the San Bernardino National Forest Supervisor’s Office, 602 South Tippecanoe, San Bernardino, CA 92408. Emails can be sent to [email protected]. Please put “CONDOLENCES” in the subject line. All correspondence will be give to Brent’s family. For those who would like to remember Brent with a donation, a Memorial Fund is being set up.
July 18, 2019 - NBC Montana News Article:
Just two years ago, a member of the Witham family was taken by the Lolo Peak Fire. Now a piece of Brent Witham, the California firefighter who was killed battling the blaze, will stay in Lolo.
A portion of Highway 12 was dedicated to Witham on Thursday.
Witham’s family, dozens of service members, representatives from Montana’s delegation and more crowded into the Lolo Steakhouse parking lot to honor the late firefighter.
Witham’s cousin, Mike Costello, describes him as a selfless person. He said Witham loved being a firefighter and had, “a unique ability to be there for people who needed him.”
Costello also said the entire family lived a life of service. Costello and his son were also firefighters. Witham’s father is a retired sheriff. His mother is an Army veteran, and his grandfather was on one of the first Hotshot crews ever.
Montana State Sen. Diane Sands said the quality of selflessness and wanting to help others is one that she sees in many Forest Service workers.
"I think it’s important that we recognize that sacrifice. I think we often take it for granted, because we do live in fire country. I hope that when people look at this stretch of road along Highway 12, they don’t just think of Brent's sacrifice, but the sacrifice of all the Forest Service men and women out there,” said Sands.
From MTN News: MISSOULA -
It's an example of selfless sacrifice -- a California firefighter working to protect Lolo residents from an aggressive wildfire dies in a tragic accident.
Authorities say that Brent Witham, 29, of Mentone, California was a veteran California firefighter who was killed by a falling tree on the Lolo Peak Fire.
The accident happened on Wednesday afternoon in the area north of Florence where crews have been constructing a line of defense against the fire.
Witham was a six-year veteran of the U.S. Forest Service and a member of the Vista Grande Hotshot crew stationed at the San Bernardino National Forest since 2015.
Medical crews were called around 3 p.m. Wednesday after a firefighter was been struck by a tree while working with a crew in the McClain Creek area south of Lolo.
Efforts were made to get Witham down to a landing zone where he could be evacuated by helicopter. Witham was given CPR on the scene of the accident and airlifted to a Missoula hospital, but could not be revived.
This marks the second time this summer that a firefighter has been killed while working on a Western Montana wildfire. Trenton Johnson of Missoula died on July 19 after he was hit by a falling tree while working on a fire near Seeley Lake.
USFS Chief Tom Tidwell urged wildland firefighters to take care of themselves and each other as they face wildfires across the West.
California Governor Edmund Brown Jr. also weighed in on Witham's death, saying flags in his state will be flown at half staff in his honor.
"Anne and I extend our condolences to Firefighter Brent Witham’s family, friends and colleagues in this difficult time. It’s the work of brave firefighters like Brent that keeps our communities safe and we are deeply grateful for his service," Brown said in a statement.
Ravalli County Sheriff Steve Holton called for a moment of silence to honor Witham on Thursday evening as upwards of 200 community members and firefighters gathered for the latest update on the Lolo Peak Fire.
Sheriff Holton noted that accidents can happen even with the best of planning, and asked people to say a prayer for the Witham and his family.
Gov. Steve Bullock memorialized Witham on Thursday, asking the public to keep firefighters in their hearts. "Lisa and I send our deepest condolences to the friends, family, and colleagues of Brent Witham," Gov. Bullock wrote in an email. "Mr. Witham lost his life protecting the people of Montana and we will remember him for his courage and sacrifice."
Above article paraphrased Information from KPAX TV Article & Missoulian
-------------------------------------------
8/6/2017
By Jim Steinberg, The Sun
MENTONE Brent Witham – the 29-year-old Mentone firefighter who was killed earlier this (week) battling a blaze in Montana – always could bring a smile to your face, his family says.
On Saturday, Witham’s family released a statement about the Redlands East Valley High graduate who worked with the Idyllwild-based Vista Grande Hotshots U.S. Forest Service crew.
Witham was killed Wednesday, Aug. 2, when a tree fell on him battling the Lolo Peak fire burning in the Lolo National Forest southwest of Missoula.
(His) Redlands East Valley High counselor remembers fallen firefighter who ‘did the right thing’
“We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of care and support that family, friends and community members have expressed regarding Brent’s recent passing,” according to the family’s statement. “His death was a terrible shock to all of us and we are still navigating through the disbelief.
“It helps to know how many lives Brent touched with his great sense of humor and ability to make others laugh, his way of turning people’s weaknesses into strength, and his overall love for life,” the statement continued.
The family thanked the community for its condolences.
On Friday, a U.S. Forest Service team arrived to help plan Witham’s memorial service; no date has been set.
The team, the National Incident Management Organization, primarily manage wildfires, but also handles other situations that require making order of chaos – in this case, organizing a memorial service.
***************************************
From Witham Memorial Blog Page:
Aug. 6, 2017, 3:30 pm, San Bernardino, CA - Vista Grande Hotshot Brent Witham, who was killed August 2, 2017 while working on the Lolo Peak Fire in Montana, is coming home Monday, August 7th. Brent will be escorted home from Montana to his family, arriving at the San Bernardino air tanker base about 3:00pm. He will be escorted the entire way by Forest Service law enforcement and Honor Guard, and received by his family, his crew, San Bernardino National Forest employees, and various interagency engines and personnel.
Brent will be honored with a processional escort to the Montecito Memorial Park & Mortuary in Colton, CA. An Honor Watch will be in place with Brent until interment. The procession route will move from the air tanker base, along 3rd Street, south along Tippecanoe in front of the Forest Service Headquarters, west on Orange Show and south on Waterman to the Montecito Memorial Park & Mortuary at 3520 E Washington St, Colton, CA 92354. Those who would like to honor Brent are encouraged to view the processional from any point along the route. This route is tentative pending final approval and the processional is expected to take about an hour.
The Lolo National Forest will be live streaming a processional and escort happening in Montana as Brent is moved to the plane that will bring him home. Watch at https://www.facebook.com/lolonationalforest/. Start time is expected to be at 8:00 am Pacific time.
The memorial service itself has been scheduled for Thursday, August 10th at the National Orange Show, Orange Pavilion, Arrowhead entrance, San Bernardino, CA 92408. Anyone who would like to attend is welcome.
Condolences for the family can be mailed to the San Bernardino National Forest Supervisor’s Office, 602 South Tippecanoe, San Bernardino, CA 92408. Emails can be sent to [email protected]. Please put “CONDOLENCES” in the subject line. All correspondence will be give to Brent’s family. For those who would like to remember Brent with a donation, a Memorial Fund is being set up.
July 18, 2019 - NBC Montana News Article:
Just two years ago, a member of the Witham family was taken by the Lolo Peak Fire. Now a piece of Brent Witham, the California firefighter who was killed battling the blaze, will stay in Lolo.
A portion of Highway 12 was dedicated to Witham on Thursday.
Witham’s family, dozens of service members, representatives from Montana’s delegation and more crowded into the Lolo Steakhouse parking lot to honor the late firefighter.
Witham’s cousin, Mike Costello, describes him as a selfless person. He said Witham loved being a firefighter and had, “a unique ability to be there for people who needed him.”
Costello also said the entire family lived a life of service. Costello and his son were also firefighters. Witham’s father is a retired sheriff. His mother is an Army veteran, and his grandfather was on one of the first Hotshot crews ever.
Montana State Sen. Diane Sands said the quality of selflessness and wanting to help others is one that she sees in many Forest Service workers.
"I think it’s important that we recognize that sacrifice. I think we often take it for granted, because we do live in fire country. I hope that when people look at this stretch of road along Highway 12, they don’t just think of Brent's sacrifice, but the sacrifice of all the Forest Service men and women out there,” said Sands.
It's an example of selfless sacrifice -- a California firefighter working to protect Lolo residents from an aggressive wildfire dies in a tragic accident.
Authorities say that Brent Witham, 29, of Mentone, California was a veteran California firefighter who was killed by a falling tree on the Lolo Peak Fire.
The accident happened on Wednesday afternoon in the area north of Florence where crews have been constructing a line of defense against the fire.
Witham was a six-year veteran of the U.S. Forest Service and a member of the Vista Grande Hotshot crew stationed at the San Bernardino National Forest since 2015.
Medical crews were called around 3 p.m. Wednesday after a firefighter was been struck by a tree while working with a crew in the McClain Creek area south of Lolo.
Efforts were made to get Witham down to a landing zone where he could be evacuated by helicopter. Witham was given CPR on the scene of the accident and airlifted to a Missoula hospital, but could not be revived.
This marks the second time this summer that a firefighter has been killed while working on a Western Montana wildfire. Trenton Johnson of Missoula died on July 19 after he was hit by a falling tree while working on a fire near Seeley Lake.
USFS Chief Tom Tidwell urged wildland firefighters to take care of themselves and each other as they face wildfires across the West.
California Governor Edmund Brown Jr. also weighed in on Witham's death, saying flags in his state will be flown at half staff in his honor.
"Anne and I extend our condolences to Firefighter Brent Witham’s family, friends and colleagues in this difficult time. It’s the work of brave firefighters like Brent that keeps our communities safe and we are deeply grateful for his service," Brown said in a statement.
Ravalli County Sheriff Steve Holton called for a moment of silence to honor Witham on Thursday evening as upwards of 200 community members and firefighters gathered for the latest update on the Lolo Peak Fire.
Sheriff Holton noted that accidents can happen even with the best of planning, and asked people to say a prayer for the Witham and his family.
Gov. Steve Bullock memorialized Witham on Thursday, asking the public to keep firefighters in their hearts. "Lisa and I send our deepest condolences to the friends, family, and colleagues of Brent Witham," Gov. Bullock wrote in an email. "Mr. Witham lost his life protecting the people of Montana and we will remember him for his courage and sacrifice."
Above article paraphrased Information from KPAX TV Article & Missoulian
-------------------------------------------
8/6/2017
By Jim Steinberg, The Sun
MENTONE Brent Witham – the 29-year-old Mentone firefighter who was killed earlier this (week) battling a blaze in Montana – always could bring a smile to your face, his family says.
On Saturday, Witham’s family released a statement about the Redlands East Valley High graduate who worked with the Idyllwild-based Vista Grande Hotshots U.S. Forest Service crew.
Witham was killed Wednesday, Aug. 2, when a tree fell on him battling the Lolo Peak fire burning in the Lolo National Forest southwest of Missoula.
(His) Redlands East Valley High counselor remembers fallen firefighter who ‘did the right thing’
“We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of care and support that family, friends and community members have expressed regarding Brent’s recent passing,” according to the family’s statement. “His death was a terrible shock to all of us and we are still navigating through the disbelief.
“It helps to know how many lives Brent touched with his great sense of humor and ability to make others laugh, his way of turning people’s weaknesses into strength, and his overall love for life,” the statement continued.
The family thanked the community for its condolences.
On Friday, a U.S. Forest Service team arrived to help plan Witham’s memorial service; no date has been set.
The team, the National Incident Management Organization, primarily manage wildfires, but also handles other situations that require making order of chaos – in this case, organizing a memorial service.
***************************************
From Witham Memorial Blog Page:
Aug. 6, 2017, 3:30 pm, San Bernardino, CA - Vista Grande Hotshot Brent Witham, who was killed August 2, 2017 while working on the Lolo Peak Fire in Montana, is coming home Monday, August 7th. Brent will be escorted home from Montana to his family, arriving at the San Bernardino air tanker base about 3:00pm. He will be escorted the entire way by Forest Service law enforcement and Honor Guard, and received by his family, his crew, San Bernardino National Forest employees, and various interagency engines and personnel.
Brent will be honored with a processional escort to the Montecito Memorial Park & Mortuary in Colton, CA. An Honor Watch will be in place with Brent until interment. The procession route will move from the air tanker base, along 3rd Street, south along Tippecanoe in front of the Forest Service Headquarters, west on Orange Show and south on Waterman to the Montecito Memorial Park & Mortuary at 3520 E Washington St, Colton, CA 92354. Those who would like to honor Brent are encouraged to view the processional from any point along the route. This route is tentative pending final approval and the processional is expected to take about an hour.
The Lolo National Forest will be live streaming a processional and escort happening in Montana as Brent is moved to the plane that will bring him home. Watch at https://www.facebook.com/lolonationalforest/. Start time is expected to be at 8:00 am Pacific time.
The memorial service itself has been scheduled for Thursday, August 10th at the National Orange Show, Orange Pavilion, Arrowhead entrance, San Bernardino, CA 92408. Anyone who would like to attend is welcome.
Condolences for the family can be mailed to the San Bernardino National Forest Supervisor’s Office, 602 South Tippecanoe, San Bernardino, CA 92408. Emails can be sent to [email protected]. Please put “CONDOLENCES” in the subject line. All correspondence will be give to Brent’s family. For those who would like to remember Brent with a donation, a Memorial Fund is being set up.
July 18, 2019 - NBC Montana News Article:
Just two years ago, a member of the Witham family was taken by the Lolo Peak Fire. Now a piece of Brent Witham, the California firefighter who was killed battling the blaze, will stay in Lolo.
A portion of Highway 12 was dedicated to Witham on Thursday.
Witham’s family, dozens of service members, representatives from Montana’s delegation and more crowded into the Lolo Steakhouse parking lot to honor the late firefighter.
Witham’s cousin, Mike Costello, describes him as a selfless person. He said Witham loved being a firefighter and had, “a unique ability to be there for people who needed him.”
Costello also said the entire family lived a life of service. Costello and his son were also firefighters. Witham’s father is a retired sheriff. His mother is an Army veteran, and his grandfather was on one of the first Hotshot crews ever.
Montana State Sen. Diane Sands said the quality of selflessness and wanting to help others is one that she sees in many Forest Service workers.
"I think it’s important that we recognize that sacrifice. I think we often take it for granted, because we do live in fire country. I hope that when people look at this stretch of road along Highway 12, they don’t just think of Brent's sacrifice, but the sacrifice of all the Forest Service men and women out there,” said Sands.
