KLAMATH COUNTY, Ore. — A heavy equipment operator was killed after rapidly changing conditions overtook his bulldozer during firefighting operations on the Wrights Spring Fire.
Jason Ensign, 47, of Klamath Falls, was operating a Caterpillar D-6 dozer for Green Diamond Timber Resource Company on Aug. 7 when the incident occurred, according to Klamath County Sheriff Shane Mitchell.
Ensign was working alongside crews near the Yahwee Plateau, where firefighters and equipment operators were constructing dozer lines and improving access ahead of the fire.
Officials said a weather event caused the fire to grow unexpectedly, producing extreme fire behavior that cut off Ensign’s route to a designated safety zone.
Crews learned at approximately 4:30 p.m. that a dozer was missing and began searching the area. After conditions subsided, crews responded to Ensign’s last known location, which investigators identified using cellphone information and witness statements.
Personnel from the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon Department of Forestry located the extensively damaged dozer later that night. Ensign was found deceased inside its enclosed cab.
“Behind every helmet, every engine and every piece of heavy equipment is a person who went to work expecting to come home,” Mitchell said. “Jason was doing dangerous work in an effort to help protect others and support the firefighting operation.”
Mitchell extended condolences to Ensign’s family, friends, coworkers and those who worked alongside him. He also recognized the firefighters, equipment operators, dispatchers, law enforcement officers, pilots and other emergency personnel continuing to work in challenging conditions on the Wrights Spring Fire.
Officials reminded the public that wildfire conditions can change rapidly and asked residents to remain informed, prepare for changing conditions and stay out of active fire areas.
