Duty Death: Tim Hart - [West Yellowstone]
End of Service: 02/06/2021
By Rachel Engel
HIDALGO COUNTY, N.M. — A smokejumper died yesterday following injuries he incurred while battling a wildfire, the U.S. Forest Service reported.
Smokejumper Tim Hart was injured on May 24 while working the Eicks Fire in Hidalgo County, New Mexico, and was transported to a local hospital where he remained until his death on June 2, KBZK 7 reported.
Hart began his fire career in 2006 on the Coconino National Forest in Montana and later the Fremont-Winema National Forest. From there, Hart served as a Lead Forestry Technician on an Engine for the Shoshone National Forest before joining the Bureau of Land Management on the Ruby Mountain Hotshot Crew.
Hart joined the USFS smokejumper program in 2016, working in West Yellowstone and serving as a smokejumper squad leader in 2019 and a spotter in 2020.
Montana Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) issued a statement of condolences following Hart’s death.
“I am saddened to hear of the passing of Tim Hart. Cindy and I will be praying for his family and the whole wildland community in this difficult time,” he said. “Time bravely served as a West Yellowstone Smokejumper and protected communities from devastating wildfires. I’m thankful for his service.”