Secretary Kempthorne signed an order on August 12, 2008 to honor the fallen fire fighters from the Iron Complex in California. In honor and memory of the fire fighters, flags at DOI will be flown at half-mast from dusk on August 12 until sundown on August 16.

On Tuesday, August 5, a helicopter carrying 11 fire fighters and 2 pilots crashed in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, California while supporting the Iron Complex. One U.S. Forest Service employee, James N. Ramage, seven contract firefighters, Scott Charlson, Shawn Blazer, Matthew Hammer, Edrik Gomez, Bryan Rich, David Steele, Steven Renno, and one contract pilot, Roark Schwanenberg, were among those who perished.

The other three injured firefighters have been released from the hospital and are back at home under their own doctor’s care. These firefighters are Rich Schroeder, Michael Brown, and Jonathan Frohreich.

A memorial for the fallen fire fighters will be held tomorrow in Medford, Oregon, home of the contract crew.

Grayback Forestry and Carson Helicopters, with assistance from the interagency firefighter community, will hold a public tribute to the fallen firefighters, families and friends on Friday, August 15th . The event will be held at the Lithia Motors Amphitheater at the Jackson Co. Fairgrounds near Medford, Oregon. The event will be from 10:00 to 11:30 am. The gates will open 8:30 am.

The Wildland Firefighter Foundation, www.wffoundation.org, helps support the families of the fallen firefighters and contributions are encouraged. Contributions should include a reference to the Iron 44 Incident. · Cards and letters can be sent to Grayback Forestry, Carson Helicopter, and Shasta-Trinity National Forest: Grayback Forestry Shasta-Trinity National Forest, 1570 Avenue F Attn: Fallen Firefighters Support White City, OR 97503 3644 Avtech Parkway Redding, CA 96002 Carson Helicopters 828 Brookside Blvd Grants Pass, OR 97526.

Lynda Boody Deputy Assistant Director Fire and Aviation Bureau of Land Management.