Services for South Dakota firefighter killed in California

Ruhl was the engine captain for Black Hills’ Mystic Ranger District.

An ongoing investigation is slated to include an autopsy, which is scheduled for early next week, and a review of the circumstances surrounding Ruhl’s death, the U.S. Forest Service said.

U.S. Forest Service, the South Carolina Forestry Commission has sent seven of its wildland firefighters to join crews battling more than 30 wildfires around Redding, California. One firefighter was killed late last week at the scene of a fire at the Modoc National Forest, 100 miles south of the Oregon border.

“He was definitely passionate about being a firefighter and being a good firefighter”, said Ryan Cumbow, engine captain for the firefighting crew assigned to the Fort Pierre National Grassland and Ruhl’s former supervisor when Ruhl worked on that crew.

They searched that night, but had to stop because of hazardous fire conditions.

Ruhl was in a vehicle Thursday, looking for ways to fight the blaze, when officials lost contact with him. Its members, who have experience in areas of fire management, law enforcement, human performance and more, will begin their work on August. 3.

The largest blaze in drought-stricken California roughly tripled in size over the weekend to 93 square miles, generating its own winds that spread the flames at an unprecedented rate, officials said.

Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency for California and activated the California National Guard to help with disaster recovery.

“He just represented the profession and the Black Hills Forest Service to the highest standard”. “Firefighter Ruhl will be remembered for his service and bravery and we extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues with the U.S. Forest Service”.

Ruhl is survived by his wife and two children.