Pa. fire chief dies after teaching at wildfire academy

The Sentinel

SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. — A state forest supervisor who was an instructor at the Wildland Fire Academy at Shippensburg University died on Thursday, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources said.

Dave Warfel, the forest district maintenance supervisor at Weiser State Forest, died after spending the day instructing and mentoring wildland firefighters, said department Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn in a statement released Friday.

No other details were available.

Warfel was also the Carsonville Volunteer Fire Company Chief in Dauphin County.

The manner of death will be determined by the Cumberland County coroner.

More than 400 people are participating in the annual Pennsylvania Wildland Fire Academy at Shippensburg University which offers hands-on activities designed to simulate conditions that they may encounter during a wildfire assignment.

The Weiser State Forest encompasses about 30,000 acres in seven counties in the central part of the state.

Trending

Fire Service Staffing

Union: ‘Lives would’ve been saved’ at fatal Mass. assisted living fire with more staffing

Out of the 10 companies with the Fall River Fire Department, only two are staffed at the national standard of four firefighters, IAFF President Edward Kelly said

July 15, 2025 11:07 AM

Fatal Incident

9 killed, 30 injured in fire at Mass. assisted living facility

More than 50 Fall River firefighters, including 30 who were off-duty, responded as residents were trapped inside Gabriel House

July 14, 2025 09:01 AM

Wildfire and Wildland-Urban Interface

2 firefighters injured while battling Calif. wildfire as evacuation warnings expand

One firefighter was treated for heat-related illness while another sustained a more severe injury requiring hospital care as the Green Fire grew past 10,000 acres

July 14, 2025 10:26 AM

Violence Against First Responders

Calif. firefighter/paramedic seriously injured after being attacked during medical call

The Sacramento firefighter was injured while rendering aid to a man who had jumped through a window

July 15, 2025 08:14 AM

© 2025 The Sentinel (Carlisle, Pa.).
Visit www.cumberlink.com.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.