United States Fire Administration
15 August 2022
The United States Fire Administration has announced the death of Pilot Douglas “Doug” Ritchie, 56, contracted to the State of Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection, on 26 June 2022.
On Sunday, June 26, 2022, Pilot Douglas “Doug” Ritchie, the sole occupant of a Bell UH1B Helicopter, was supporting firefighting efforts at the Clear Wildland Fire, when the helicopter crashed after takeoff, killing Pilot Ritchie. Investigation into the incident continues.
Age: 56
Rank: Pilot
Classification: Wildland Contract
Incident date: June 26, 2022 7:38 p.m.
Date of death: June 26, 2022
Cause of death: Vehicle Collision – Includes Aircraft
Nature of death: Trauma
Activity type: Support
Emergency duty: Yes
Duty type: Responding
Fixed property use: Outdoor Property
The number of on-duty deaths for 2022 currently is 67.
Go here to read the number of interior line of duty deaths for 2022.
Fatality status is provisional and may change as USFA contacts State Fire Marshals to verify fatality incident information.
For more information about on-duty deaths as recorded by the United States Fire Administration go to “Firefighter Fatalities in the United States.”
Data Not Drama 