| Press Release |
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| August 8, 2008 |
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Statement by Governor Ted Kulongoski on Loss of Oregon Firefighters
Governor orders flags to be flown at half-staff August 11 through August 15, 2008
(Salem) – Today Governor Ted Kulongoski ordered all flags at public institutions to be flown at half-staff from sunrise Monday, August 11, 2008 through sunset Friday, August 15, 2008 in memory of the brave firefighters and crew who lost their lives in Tuesday evening’s helicopter crash in northern California .
“Year after year we depend on these committed individuals to protect our homes, our communities and our forests in the face of an unpredictable, unrelenting Mother Nature. Their dedication to this precarious job serves us all,” said Governor Ted Kulongoski. “For the families and communities that have lost a loved one, our thoughts and prayers are with you. We are forever indebted to you and to those who gave their lives bravely helping others.”
The firefighters who died were part of a crew fielded by Grayback Forestry, Inc., a wildfire contracting company based in Merlin, Oregon. The helicopter was owned by Grants Pass-based Carson Helicopters. The helicopter crashed while on duty fighting the Iron Complex of fires in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. The crash claimed the lives of seven Grayback Forestry employees and injured three others. The two pilots, employees of Carson Helicopters, also were Oregonians. One was killed and the other injured. A U.S. Forest Service employee from California also died in the crash.
Contact:
Anna Richter Taylor, 503-378-6169
Rem Nivens, 503-378-6496
Jillian Schoene, 503-378-5040
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