It is with a heavy heart that we mourn the loss of Daniel Joseph Laird, a Forest Service employee, who lost his life on March 27, 2019, while supporting a routine controlled burn on the Sam Houston National Forest in Montgomery County, Texas.
Daniel served the Forest Service for 23 years and worked as a helitack captain on the Tahoe
National Forest in California, where he was permanently assigned.It takes great courage to be a
wildland firefighter. Despite the courage necessary to work in this profession, it does not lessen
the sadness we feel when we lose one of our own.
In honor of Daniel Joseph Laird who lost his life serving the American people, and in honor of his
family, who lost a loved one, I am ordering all Forest Service facilities to fly the American flag
at half-staff for three days, beginning on the morning of Friday, April 5, 2019 through sunset on
Sunday, April 7, 2019.
Please keep Daniel's family, friends, and co-workers in your thoughts and prayers and join me in
honoring his service and dedication.
-VICTORIA CHRISTIANSEN
Chief
March 28, 2019
Region 5 Employees,
You may have already heard from Secretary Perdue and Chief
Christiansen that we lost one of our own, Daniel Laird, yesterday, in a
helicopter accident while conducting a prescribed burn with our Region 8
partners on the Sam Houston National Forest in Texas. Daniel was 41 years old
and leaves behind his wife Heather and daughter Evain.
Daniel started as a seasonal firefighter on the Tahoe and
worked his way up to Helitack Captain. His passion was in aviation, but
he was also known for his ability to lead a strike team of engines or a task
force of hand crews and heavy equipment. He was a true leader in every
sense. He was dedicated to being an instructor and a believer in the
apprentice program, where he helped grow people just like himself. Daniel was
originally from Graeagle, CA, and committed his working life to the Forest
Service. He was extremely knowledgeable about his craft and loved his job. He
had an infectious smile, natural physical talent, and his greatest love of all
was his family.
Our Forest Service family is hurting over this tremendous
loss. It is an emotional time and Daniel’s loss can impact even the strongest
among us. We grieve with Daniel’s immediate family, friends, and community.
Please keep them all in your thoughts and prayers. The Region is providing
support to the Tahoe and all who need it as they digest this sad news. I will
pass more details on arrangements once they become available.
Please continue to look out for one another and take care of
one another.
-Randy Moore, Regional Forester
March 28, 2019
Dear Forest Service employees:
As the Secretary mentioned below, last evening we tragically
lost one of our own, firefighter Daniel Joseph Laird, in a helicopter crash in
Texas, during a prescribed fire operation.
Tragedies of this nature serve as a reminder of the
honorable work and sacrifices made by men and women like Daniel. They daily
commit themselves to supporting and protecting communities around the country.
We are still gathering all of the details of this tragic
event and will share them as we can. We
will also provide information on plans for services and expressions of
condolences as soon as they become available.
But for now, we need to continue to keep those closest to Daniel in our
thoughts and prayers.
Thank you all for your care and support for Daniel’s family,
co-workers and each other.
As always, thank you for the work you do every day to care
for these lands and serve our country.
Chief Christiansen
March 28, 2019
Dear Forest Service family,
It is with a heavy heart that I must share with you the
passing of Forest Service firefighter Daniel Joseph Laird who died in the line
of duty yesterday. A helicopter carrying Daniel and two other people was
involved in an accident in the Sam Houston National Forest in Montgomery
County, Texas. The team was supporting a routine controlled burn on the forest.
The two other crew members were transported to a local hospital with
non-life-threatening injuries.
Daniel served the agency for 23 years and worked as a
helitack captain on the Tahoe National Forest in California. He leaves behind a
wife, Heather, and daughter, Evain. Our hearts and condolences go out to the
entire Laird family, their friends, and co-workers. We’re very grateful for his
service to the agency and our nation.
I would ask all of you to join Mary and me in keeping
Daniel’s family, friends and coworkers in your thoughts and prayers during this
extremely difficult time.
God bless all of you who serve.
-Secretary Sonny
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