- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
Sen. McGuire adjourns Senate in memory of firefighter who died on Mendocino Complex
McGuire adjourned the Thursday Senate Floor Session in memory of Draper City FIre Battalion Chief Matthew Burchett.
Burchett, 42, was an experienced professional in wildland firefighting, admired by his colleagues and known as the guy who always kept people safe.
Earlier this month Burchett – a newly promoted battalion chief – came to California with a five-member crew from Draper City, an agency he joined in May.
Fire officials said this was his second deployment to the state in two years to assist with wildland firefighting.
He was working on the Ranch fire near Lake Pillsbury on Monday when he was injured by a falling tree, as Lake County News has reported.
“Despite being thousands of miles away from his 6-year-old and loving wife, Battalion Chief Burchett jumped at the chance to come to the aid of all of us here in the Golden State,” said McGuire. “It’s not because he had to, but because it’s the way Mr. Burchett lived his life – helping others who are in need. On behalf of the residents of California, we send our deep condolences to Battalion Chief Burchett’s family, friends and fellow firefighters.”
McGuire said Burchett will be remembered for his dry wit, as well as his love of hiking, skiing, being outdoors and being an amazing dad.
On Wednesday Burchett’s body was transported home to Utah in a procession that began in Ukiah and ended with a flight from Santa Rosa to Salt Lake City.
The Mendocino Complex, composed of the Ranch and River fires, began on July 27 and is now the largest wildland fire incident in California history, at more than 370,000 acres. It is burning across four counties: Mendocino, Lake, Colusa and Glenn.
If separated from the complex, the Ranch fire alone – at more than 321,000 acres by Thursday night – would be the largest wildland fire in state history, according to fire records.
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