Trinity River Firefighter Drowning Fatality 1920

On August 9, 1920, State Survey Engineer Paul Regnier drowned while swimming to cool down from several days' work on a forest fire at Taylor Flat (near French Bar by Del Loma) outside of Helena, California. Regnier was one of three surveyors working in this area when the nearby fire was discovered. The road crew assembled at the ranger station where they were assigned to this fire, one of several forest fires burning in the vicinity of Big Bar. After three days of fire suppression work, the group was relieved for rest at their road work camp.

To cool down from their exertion, Regnier and others swam in the nearby Trinity River. Cramps seized him, and Regnier sank. The first rescuer was unable to pull Regnier to the bank and also nearly drowned. Regnier's body was recovered the following day. He was 26.