Inmate Firefighter Dies After Tree Falls on Him

Press release from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation:

inmate fire fighterCDCR today announced that an inmate firefighter in Humboldt County has died as the result of injuries sustained while working on a fire line in Del Norte County.

The firefighter, Matthew Beck, 26, was leading a crew that was clearing brush to contain a fire in the Hoopa area. He suffered major head, neck and back injuries yesterday when a large, 120-foot tall tree nearby uprooted and fell on him. He died before life-flight crews were able to reach him due to the remoteness of the accident scene.

“We are saddened by the death of Matthew Beck, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends,” said CDCR Secretary Scott Kernan. “The inmates who year after year help protect our communities from the devastation of fires perform a valuable public service, and it is a tragic event when we lose one of them.”

Beck, who was assigned to the Alder Conservation Camp in Del Norte County, was received from Los Angeles County in May 2014 and was serving a six-year sentence for burglary. He is the fourth inmate firefighter to die on the fire line since the conservation program was created in the 1940s.

Approximately 3,900 inmates, all volunteers, are housed in 43 conservation camps operated by CDCR, in conjunction with CALFIRE, the state of California’s wild land firefighting agency, and the Los Angeles County Fire Department.  Working in crews of 12 or 14, CDCR firefighters often work in rugged back country using hand tools to cut containment lines to stop the spread of wildland fires.

Facebooktwitterpinterestmail

Join the discussion! For rules visit: https://kymkemp.com/commenting-rules

Comments system how-to: https://wpdiscuz.com/community/postid/10599/

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

33 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Malinda
Guest
Malinda
6 years ago

Kim,
The accident occurred on Ishi Pishi road, Orleans. The road was blocked by Cal Fire employees.

visitor
Guest
visitor
6 years ago
Reply to  Malinda

Weird. Ishi Pishi means “end of the trail”.

GUEST
Guest
GUEST
6 years ago

that sucks.

Hick
Guest
Hick
6 years ago

Sad, Rest In Peace.

G-MAS
Guest
G-MAS
6 years ago

Well that’s sad.R.I.P

Veterans friend
Guest
Veterans friend
6 years ago

Condolences to family. RIP firefighter.

Big louie
Guest
Big louie
6 years ago

This is sad these men bust there assess off on fire lines r i p matt prayers to the family and friends

The Apache Warrior
Guest
The Apache Warrior
6 years ago

As a past USFS Firefighter and a 30 year volunteer Fireman for both Rio Dell & Scotia Volunteer Fire Departments, this type of news really hits hard. My thoughts and prayers goes out to his Family at this time. Even though he was here because of a bad turn in his early life, this is still not the way that he should have died. I hope that his Family can have closure in knowing that he was trying to save lives and property in an area that they have probably never heard of. He will be remembered by many here on the North Coast for his efforts to protect all of us. May He Forever Rest In Peace. Matthew, you will not be forgotten. Rest now in the arms of the Man above who forgives us all for our transgressions of the past.

Denise
Guest
Denise
6 years ago

Very well said

karen
Guest
karen
6 years ago

thank you

Dan Fuller
Guest
Dan Fuller
6 years ago

A rather nasty way to go out, taken out by a “natural Widow maker”!!! :-C Sorry to read this may peace be with him & especially his loved ones!!!

Ernestine
Guest
Ernestine
6 years ago
Reply to  Dan Fuller

On the other hand, he was outside, not in a cage, when he died.

dee h.
Guest
dee h.
6 years ago

My deepest sympathies to all of Matthew Beck’s family and friends. The inmate fire fighter program offers so much for all of us. I appreciate his work and that of all fire fighters, be safe.

MOGTX
Guest
6 years ago

bummer RIP

onlooker
Guest
onlooker
6 years ago

I can only hope that the state provides generously to his survivors. This man risked, and lost, his life while serving the public interest. His family deserves insurance compensation at the same rate that every volunteer firefighter earns.

karen
Guest
karen
6 years ago
Reply to  onlooker

The state isn’t even paying the cost of sending him home 🙁

ikickittoyou
Guest
ikickittoyou
6 years ago

Sad to hear. A technical correction on the CDC press release. Inmates aren’t crew leaders. While there is a crew hierarchy where responsibilities are delegated to inmates, crew leaders of inmate crews in this area are CAL Fire Captains.

So since most fires up there are arson, has this tragic death just become a homicide?

ikickittoyou
Guest
ikickittoyou
6 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

He was either working a fire or he was not. The press release said he was. That point is a big deal in the long run. I don’t get the impression CDC worked with CAL Fire to clearly craft this release. Hopefully they can clarify tomorrow.

EC
Guest
EC
6 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

This happened in Somes Bar and there was no fire. The inmate crew was clearing brush and trees with CALFire along Ishi Pishi Road. This is important work nonetheless we local residents very much appreciate it. I’m sorry for the family’s loss, this is a very tragic accident.

Irma
Guest
Irma
6 years ago
Reply to  ikickittoyou

RIP my prayers to his family for comfort..

Just My Opinion
Guest
Just My Opinion
6 years ago

Condolences to the family. Hope he didn’t suffer.

Thinking allowed
Guest
Thinking allowed
6 years ago

I, along with many others, was cornered in a camp ground by a wild fire a number of years ago. The CC cleared a path for us to get out.

The loss of Mr. Beck in doing similar work is heartbreaking. My sympathy goes out to all of his comrades and family.

UNCLEJ
Guest
UNCLEJ
6 years ago

TOUCHING TO READ COMMENTS, AND AS A FAMILY MEMBER OF MATT, WILL KEEP ARTICLE TOUTING HIM AS THE LEADER OF CREW.

Inmateffwife
Guest
Inmateffwife
6 years ago
Reply to  UNCLEJ

My husband was at camp with Matt, they were close friends. he will be greatly missed.. our condolences to your family in these hard times!

karen
Guest
karen
6 years ago
Reply to  Inmateffwife

<3

Lena
Guest
Lena
6 years ago

May God protect all the firefighters regardless of their background. It is a dangerous job. I thank all of them for their effort to help and and protect the community. This young man will be remembered as a héroe. Blessings of peace to his family and friends.

Cate22
Guest
Cate22
6 years ago

Almost every detail in this story is incorrect. I live close to where this happened. The road was finally reopened yesterday afternoon and we drove by the site which had been cordonedoff/closed while an investigation took place. Ishi Pishi Road extends from Somes Bar to Orleans along the Klamath River. This occurred closer to the Somes Bar end. They were not fighting a fire. No fires in the area. It looked as though they had been cutting down trees. Again, no fire involved. Brushing and cutting trees is vital to the safety of the residents of our community. We greatly value his service. Condolences to his family.