PINEVILLE, La. — Wildland firefighter Kaitlyn “KK” Gallagher, 24, of Alexandria, Louisiana, died in the line of duty on Oct. 14 after being struck by a tree while responding to the Broken Creek Fire, according to a U.S. Forest Service Facebook post.
Forest Supervisor Lisa Lewis said the loss is deeply felt throughout the Forest Service, the wildland fire community and the local community, extending condolences to Gallagher’s family, friends and everyone touched by her life.
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Gallagher joined the U.S. Forest Service as a wildland firefighter apprentice in 2025 and spent two summers on the Shoshone National Forest in Wyoming, serving on both engine and wildland fire modules.
While working for the Kisatchie National Forest, she assisted with prescribed burns and wildfire response.
The Forest Service is providing support to Gallagher’s family, crewmates and other affected employees, and its honor guard is standing with her family while providing a flag memorial service in her honor.
