Bethel Ridge Fire Medical Emergency Fatality 1920

J. W. Twohey, succumbed to a heart attack while serving as a temporary Forest Service firefighter on the Bethel Ridge Fire west of Naches, Washington. At the time this area was part of the large Rainier National Forest, but is now within the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Twohey (name perhaps misspelled) was hired with a number of other by the Forest Service to fight fire only nine days before his death. Twohey was described as an exceptionally large man with boundless energy and dedication to the job. On the morning of August 19, he hiked to the ridgetop to begin suppression work for the day when he was observed to let out a small cry and collapse. He had appeared unusually tired that day. His body was transported six miles on an improvised stretcher by five fellow firefighters. Forest Supervisor Allen conducted an "informal hearing" into his death, according to the media.