A 47-year-old Klamath Falls man was killed during firefighting operations on the Wrights Spring Fire in southern Oregon.
Jason Ensign was operating a D-6 dozer in the area of Yahwee Plateau on Aug. 6, where firefighters and equipment operators were building lines and improving access ahead of the advancing fire, according to the Klamath County Sheriff's Office.
"During those operations, the fire experienced unexpected and rapid growth associated with a weather event, resulting in extreme fire behavior," a news release said. "The rapidly changing conditions cut Jason's dozer off from his escape route to a safety zone."
The fire ignited on Aug. 5, spread rapidly, and by Aug. 7 reached 8,000 acres near Chiloquin.
At approximately 4:30 p.m., after fire condition diminished, crews became aware that a dozer was missing and began searching the area.
Searchers eventually "located the extensively damaged Caterpillar D-6 dozer late that night, with Jason deceased inside the enclosed cab," the statement said.
"This is a heartbreaking loss," Klamath County Sheriff Shane L. Mitchell said. "Behind every helmet, every engine and every piece of heavy equipment is a person who went to work expecting to come home. Jason was doing dangerous work in an effort to help protect others and support the firefighting operation."
Ensign was working with the Green Diamond Timber Resource Company.
"Our thoughts are with Jason's family, friends, coworkers and everyone who worked alongside him during this incident," Mitchell said.
"We also ask that people remember the firefighters, equipment operators, dispatchers, law enforcement officers, pilots and other emergency personnel who continue to work in extremely challenging conditions on the Wrights Spring Fire," he added.
Zach Urness has been an outdoors reporter in Oregon for 18 years and is host of the Explore Oregon Podcast. He can be reached at [email protected] or 503-399-6801. Find him on X at @ZachsORoutdoors and BlueSky at oregonoutdoors.bsky.social
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: 47-year-old Klamath Falls firefighter killed in Wrights Spring Fire