Honor Guard Escorts Fallen Firefighter From Ukiah To Sonoma County Airport
(CBS SF) -- The body of a firefighter who died battling the Mendocino Complex fires was escorted from Ukiah to the Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport by an honor guard Wednesday afternoon so his remains can be returned to Utah.
Battallion Chief Matthew Burchett of the Draper City Fire Department died Monday after suffering injuries while working near the unincorporated community of Pillsbury.
The husband and father from Draper was in charge of a team of five. They had been here 12 days battling the blaze in steep, heavily wooded terrain.
Cal Fire said Burchett suffered injuries when a tree fell on him.
Burchett was transported by helicopter to Ukiah Valley Medical Center but ultimately died of his injuries. He was 42, and had 20 years experience as a firefighter.
"As you can imagine, our hearts are heavy as we digest this tragic news," Draper City Mayor Troy Walker said in a statement Tuesday. "Last night, we lost one of our Draper firefighters, a true hero."
California Gov. Jerry Brown also issued a statement about Burchett's death.
"Firefighters from across the nation, and world, have selflessly battled California's massive wildfires and sadly today we mourn the loss of one of those heroes," Brown said.
"Our hearts ache for his wife and young son, family members, loved ones, colleagues with the Draper City Fire Department and the entire state of Utah," Brown said.
Flags in Sacramento will be flown at half-staff in Burchett's honor, Brown said.
The funeral procession started at 2:30 p.m. at Eversole Mortuary in Ukiah, then headed to southbound U.S. Highway 101 via North State Street and Lake Mendocino Drive before exiting at Airport Boulevard for the Sonoma County Airport.
It was a somber 60-mile drive, full of flags, posters and people gathered alongside the road to pay their respects.
"He gave his life to protect his community. And he probably would have been safer if he'd stayed home," said Potter Valley resident Wayne Bauer.
"It's really sad. I'm just here to show respect for what he did for this community. It's amazing," said Ukiah resident Dennis Taylor.
The procession left the Ukiah funeral home on its solemn trek to the Santa Rosa airport.
But perhaps the most moving was the procession's pass by a Cal Fire base camp.
Every firefighter and support personnel not on the lines was in formation for the final farewell to Battalion Chief Burchett, before he was loaded onto a C-130 and taken home to rest.
"It's a loss. Not just for this community, but for the whole firefighting community," said Robin Spurlock of the Missoula Fire Department in Montana.
Fire officials have asked that the privacy of Burchett's family be respected.
A fundraiser for his family has been set up by the Utah Firefighters Emerald Society. Anyone looking to donate can find it online at utahfes.org.