In the middle of a burned out forest near the small town of Twisp, Washington a simple and touching memorial to 3 brave firefighters who gave their ultimate sacrifice.
TV News reporters and their camera support crew are usually on every Police-Fire-EMS "Big call" scene with us.
These news stations and their employees become influential parts of the community and we become acquainted with many of the on-air personalities. One Fresno Firefighter even married a local Fox newscaster.
The command that blared from the radio was one Gary Dahlen had never heard before, not in all his years piloting helicopters over wildfires. All available helicopters prepare for an emergency launch....
* Special Update about Fresno Fire Captain Pete Dern from his wife Kelly Dern...
Monday Pete had his dressings changed and everything is healing nicely. All of the burn staff met with the rehab staff in hopes to have a smooth transition to the rehab unit for Pete.
Ace and Robert (Pete's Physical Therapists) came in and told Pete this might be the last time they would work with him.
!['Friends, Families, Renton Fire Department family, Local 864, Brother and Sister Firefighters
This is the letter we hoped to never have to write...
However, it is with sadness and much regret to inform you that after a hard and courageous battle, our amazing brother, Donovan Eckhardt, has answered his final alarm.
Donovan passed away peacefully at his house on August 24, 2015 around 9:00 p.m. in the presence of his family and his closest friends
Donovan lived a 37 year life dedicated to serving others. He served as a wildland firefighter in California, worked for Tri-med Ambulance Company, and worked other volunteer firefighting jobs prior to starting as a professional firefighter for the Renton Fire Department in 2008. He also served with the Firefighter Cancer Support Network.
Words cannot begin to express how much Donovan will be missed. This is a very sad day for the Renton Fire Department and the City of Renton.
Donovan was the consummate professional and… quite simply, “THE guy” you wanted to work with on your shift.
His sense of humor, his unbelievable work ethic, and his very sincere concern for the citizens he worked for came so naturally for him and made it a pleasure to serve with him. Donovan raised the bar high for all of us that worked alongside of him.
In addition to his fire department family, Donovan will be missed by his expectant wife, Jaime, young son Will, mother Karen, and brother Gannon and his wife Brooke.
Planning for Donovan’s services are already well underway. The memorial will likely be in mid-September. We will provide details and updates in the coming days. In the meantime, please keep all of the Eckhardt’s in your thoughts and prayers.
Also, please familiarize yourself with, and consider a donation to the non-profit @[885418224838203:274:I Am Lionhardt] foundation that was set up by Donovan’s co-workers to serve as a legacy of our fallen brother and further cancer awareness.
Rest in Peace, Donovan.
You will be missed, but NEVER FORGOTTEN
Thanks for making the #BrotherhoodStrong
@[187557941277871:274:Brotherhood of Fire]'](https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xta1/v/t1.0-9/p110x80/11949441_1009938422373148_4506737296502773828_n.jpg?oh=cd7642c94a12d985c8b1333e262863e0&oe=56662DAF)
!['The traditional "Blammo!" round to signal successfully tying in another burn.
This photo is from a night burnout the @[1501483196770664:274:Wyoming Interagency Hotshots] crew conducted on the Wood Rat Fire which is part of the Motorway Complex near Kooskia Idaho.
Their two crews worked together and brought fire towards each other to remove fuel in a large un-burned horseshoe.
Solid work HOTSHOTS!
#BrotherhoodStrong
@[187557941277871:274:Brotherhood of Fire]'](https://fbcdn-photos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpt1/v/t1.0-0/q83/p118x118/11928734_1009049079128749_5504056779703381970_n.jpg?oh=ba24e3301e71fbab0e6fd1a9702106a3&oe=5677488C&__gda__=1450801107_b24fae2022a0143b27894465794bbe3c)
!['Nearly 29,000 firefighters are battling some 100 large blazes across the Western United States.
Drought, heat and winds have combined to make this one of the most active fire seasons in the United States in recent years.
Known to be experts in handling their own “bush fires” Australia and New Zealand are sending firefighters to help battle wildfires burning in the western United States.
The National Interagency Fire Center in Boise announced Thursday that top fire managers representing various U.S. agencies requested about 70 fire managers and specialists from the two countries.
Details are still being worked out, but the firefighters are expected to arrive in Boise on Sunday. After a one-day orientation to learn about current fire behavior they will be assigned to large fires.
The last time the U.S. asked for help from Australia and New Zealand was in 2008.
Welcome Mates!
#BrotherhoodStrong
@[187557941277871:274:Brotherhood of Fire]
Post credit: Associated Press
Photo: Unknown'](https://fbcdn-photos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xtp1/v/t1.0-0/s206x206/11880591_1007411009292556_1425593934558725480_n.jpg?oh=c0bedf7b7b08a0505d051787c6e3006d&oe=567DBA98&__gda__=1451491005_adea72bb745cf24263999ec9a70bafe5)
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