United States Fire Administration
20 October 2026
EMMITSBURG, Md. — The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has announced the on-duty death of Firefighter Kaitlyn Gallagher, 24, of the USDA Forest Service, Kisatchie National Forest on 14 October 2026.
Firefighter Kaitlyn Gallagher and another firefighter were operating a UTV while battling the Broken Creek Fire in the Kisatchie National Forest when a tree struck the vehicle and injured both occupants. Firefighter Gallagher succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased by the local coroner’s office. The other injured firefighter was transported to a local hospital where they were treated and released.
Age: 24
Rank: Firefighter
Classification: Wildland Full-Time
Incident date: Oct. 14, 2026 4:00 PM
Date of death: Oct. 14, 2026
Cause of fatal injury: Struck By
Nature of fatal injury: Crushed
Activity type: Advance Hose Lines/Fire Attack (includes Wildland)
Emergency duty: Yes
Duty type: On-Scene Fire
Fixed property use: Outdoor Property
The number of on-duty deaths for 2026 is currently 71.
Go here to read the number of interior line of duty deaths for 2026.
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.”
Photo courtesy of U.S. Forest Service – Kisatchie National Forest | Facebook.
Leave a Reply