By FireRescue1 Staff
EUREKA, Calif. — A U.S. Forest Service firefighter died Saturday after collapsing during a training exercise.
YubaNet.com reported that firefighter William “Bill” Jaros, a 12-year veteran, was a crewmember on Engine 312 on the forest’s Gasquet Ranger District/Smith River National Recreation Area.
“It saddens me to announce the untimely and heartbreaking death of one of our own,” Acting Six Rivers National Forest Supervisor Michael Green said. “Please keep Bill’s family and all of our Forest Service employees in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”
Firefighter Jaros was on a conditioning hike when he became ill and collapsed. His fellow crewmembers were unable to revive him.
The cause of his death is still under investigation.