Firefighter dies battling forest fire

It’s with sadness that Grayback Forestry, Inc. confirms that on July 19th, Trenton Johnson, a Grayback employee, was killed while fighting a forest fire on the Seeley Ranger District of the Lolo National Forest in Montana.

Trenton, 19, was a resident of Missoula. This was Trenton’s first year as a firefighter and second tour of duty this season.

Trenton was part of a 20-person Type 2 Initial Attack crew based in Missoula. At approximately 10:30, the crew was dispatched to a small lightning fire.

The crew was split into two groups of 10 to attack two different fires. Upon arrival they tied in with an existing crew to review strategy on engaging the fire. LCES (Lookouts, Communication, Escape routes and Safety) procedures were followed.

As the crew was getting lined out, a top broke out of a burning tree towards the crew boss and three others, and Trenton was struck by the snag. He was taken to the nearest heliport approximately half a mile from the fire. He was airlifted to St. Patrick Hospital at that time and was later declared deceased.

Trenton was a sophomore at Montana State University in Bozeman. He attended Hellgate High School in Missoula and ran cross country.

Lolo National Forest Supervisor Tim Garcia issued this statement to employees on Thursday morning:

“… Trenton Johnson, 19, a young firefighter from Grayback Forestry, was killed while helping us fight the Florence Fire on the Seeley Lake Ranger District. This is a heart-wrenching loss of life and Trenton leaves behind many friends and family members who are feeling this profound loss right now. This loss is rippling across the Lolo National Forest this morning and is most keenly felt on the Seeley Lake Ranger District, where Trenton’s sister works as a Forest Service employee… Our thoughts and prayers this morning are with Trenton’s family and friends, crewmembers and the wildland firefighting community. Please keep the Seeley Lake RD staff in your thoughts.”