On Monday, August 24, 2020, Pilot Thomas Duffy, 40, flying a Type 1 Kmax helicopter, was conducting bucket drops while battling the White River Fire in Mount Hood National Forest, when his helicopter crashed. He worked for Central Copters, Inc., a private family run company out of Belgrade, Montana, as a wildland-contract pilot for the U.S. Forest Service. The official cause of the crash is under investigation.
Our condolences to the Duffy Family & Friends, Central Copters, Inc., and to all affected by Firefighter Pilot Thomas Duffy's passing.
To date, 59 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2020. Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online at U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) Fatality Notices page.
