United States Fire Administration
3 November 2026
EMMITSBURG, Md. — The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has announced the on-duty death of Bulldozer Operator Jason Ensign, 47, of the Oregon Department of Forestry on 6 August 2026.
On August 6, 2026, Bulldozer Operator Jason Ensign was operating a bulldozer during firefighting operations on the Wrights Spring Fire in southern Oregon. During the operations, rapidly changing fire and weather conditions cut Bulldozer Operator Ensign from an escape route to safety. Around 4:30 p.m., fire crews learned that his bulldozer was missing. Later that night, searchers located the severely damaged bulldozer with Bulldozer Operator Ensign deceased inside the enclosed cab.
Age: 47
Rank: Bulldozer Operator
Classification: Wildland Contract
Incident date: Aug. 6, 2026 4:30 PM
Date of death: Aug. 6, 2026
Cause of fatal injury: Caught or Trapped
Nature of fatal injury: Burns
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 73.
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 Facebook.
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