Quote :

"PRESS RELEASE -- N.C. Division Of Forest Resources Firefighter Dies In The Line Of Duty Michael F. Easley, Governor William G. Ross Jr., Secretary N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources Release: Immediate Contact: Brian Haines Date: Aug. 21, 2008 Phone: (919) 857 -4828 N.C. Division Of Forest Resources Firefighter Dies In The Line Of Duty RALEIGH – The N.C. Division of Forest Resources is mourning the death of a firefighter who was killed Thursday while fighting a blaze in Polk County. Curtis Jessen, the division’s assistant district forester in Asheville, suffered critical injuries after falling from the Big Bradley Falls near Saluda. Medical personnel pronounced Jessen dead a short time later. “This is a very sad day for the entire Division of Forest Resources and all of our firefighting partners,” said Wib Owen, the director of the Division of Forest Resources. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Curtis and his family.” The accident happened at about 11 a.m. on a quarter-acre wildfire that began Wednesday afternoon. Jessen, 32, was working on the fire when he fell from a cliff. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding Jessen’s fall and the fire. Jessen began working with the N.C. Division of Forest Resources in February 2002. Since that time he has worked as a forest inventory analysis forester and a service forester before being promoted to assistant district forester. North Carolina has had nine wildfire-related deaths since 1960, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. For more information call Brian R. Haines, public information officer with the N.C. Division of Forest Resources at (919) 857-4828 or by cell at (919) 218-9728."

Curtis was scouting a fireline while a hand crew waited. They didn't hear back so they went looking for him and found him at the bottom.

8/22/2008 1:57:42 PM

R.I.P.

8/23/2008 12:38:54 AM

only 9 since 1960 is really good imo...idk just "sounds" good to me...RIP

8/23/2008 12:46:44 AM

falling off a cliff is prolly better than being burnt-up, still sad though

8/23/2008 12:52:39 AM

My current roommate was close to him, he was like his big brother.

Feel bad for his friends and family.

8/23/2008 9:19:24 AM

sucks man.

8/23/2008 10:39:35 AM

It's so tragic when freak accidents like this occur...I'll keep his family in my prayer

8/23/2008 1:43:16 PM

Quote :

"only 9 since 1960 is really good imo"

I think so too.
IIRC most of the deaths were aviation related; mostly helicopter crashes.
I like to think we have a good safety record and have safe practices, so whenever something happens it sucks in a lot of ways.

8/25/2008 12:12:00 AM

my dad used to be in forestry on bragg back in the 80s

8/25/2008 12:47:29 AM

RIP

8/25/2008 12:41:39 PM

Having grown up in Polk County and been to Big Bradley Falls many times, this sadly isnt that big of a surprise. With smoke from a fire and it being a pretty wooded area, the edge of the falls can be there before you know it.

8/25/2008 2:45:20 PM

the report said he used a rope tied to a tree that someone else had tied previously for the purpose of walking near the edge. he slipped or something and the rope broke. he fell 66 feet. there was another rope that his fire rake was tied to and that was hanging about half way down.

8/25/2008 3:08:33 PM