Officer dies while helping residents evacuate Oklahoma wildfire
A federal wildlife officer from Oregon died while helping residents evacuate from the Railroad South Fire in Oklahoma on Saturday.
The Ross Fire produced an ash devil in Graford, Texas, on Aug. 29 in an area already burned by the wildfire, which has scorched tens of thousands of acres.
A federal wildlife officer from Oregon has died while helping residents evacuate from a wildfire in Oklahoma, according to the U.S. Department of the Interior.
David Taylor, 38, of Scio, Oregon, was assisting with the response to the Railroad South Fire in Comanche County on Aug. 29 when he joined local emergency crews going door to door to help residents leave threatened areas. Taylor’s last contact with dispatch came while he was helping a family evacuate from their home.
"Evidence recovered from a structure where Taylor was working to help a resident escape indicates that he died during the evacuation effort," the Department of the Interior said in a press release.
(U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
“When people were in danger, David was there helping them get to safety,” U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Brian Nesvik said. “He remained committed to protecting others under the most dangerous circumstances.”
Taylor had spent much of his life in public service. He previously served on active duty in the U.S. Navy and remained in the Navy Reserve while working as a federal wildlife officer.
The Railroad South Fire was reported Aug. 29 in Comanche County. Evacuation orders associated with the fire have since been lifted, while the cause remains under investigation.
Comanche County emergency managers said the fire burned about 515 acres and is 30% contained as of Monday. The fire destroyed five homes and damaged two, officials said.
