Illinois Bee Sting Fatality 2024

While this incident did not occur in a wildland fire environment, its story and lessons are applicable to wildland firefighters who operate in similar field conditions and often encounter bees.

On Aug. 20, 2024, a Shawnee National Forest employee, Austin Davidson died after being stung by bees. Working in a lowland management area, Austin and a coworker were clearing brush utilizing weed trimmers. Austin came upon a concealed ground nest, the bees were disturbed, and an attack response was provoked. The bees stung multiple times delivering a large amount of bee venom that led to an unrecognized medical emergency that resulted in death roughly five hours after the incident.