Martin Creek Fire Hit by Tree Fatality 1956

Gary Fellbaum, a 19-year-old firefighter for the US Forest Service, was killed by a falling snag on the Martin Creek Fire. The 30-acre fire on the Cabinet National Forest in North Idaho was in the mop-up phase, and Fellbaum had observed the snag and was discussing it with the crew foreman. As Fellbaum turned to walk away, the tree broke and fell, hitting him on the head and back. A crew of eight smokejumpers were ordered to assist, and dropped into the fire to construct a helispot to medevac Fellbaum. Once the helispot was constructed, Fellbaum was flown to a hospital in Sandpoint, Idaho, where he was pronounced dead. 

Hit by Tree, Fatality, Medevac