The pilot responsible for flying the single-engine air tanker that crashed on Thursday, July 25, in eastern Oregon has been identified by officials.
The Falls Fire witnessed a tragic incident when a contracted aircraft of the Bureau of Land Management crashed, with 74-year-old James Bailey Maxwell flying it.
According to a Facebook post by the U.S. Forest Service – Malheur National Forest, James was a seasoned pilot with over 54 years of flying experience and had flown for approximately 24,000 hours. His family members in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington will miss him dearly and cherish his memory.
The fleet comprises of single-engine air tankers, which have the smallest capacity to carry water or fire retardant. These tankers can deliver up to 800 gallons of the required fluid.
According to the post, the community and online support being shown is greatly appreciated by both the firefighters and the Maxwell Family.
Unfortunately, there is no announcement yet regarding the services.
Maxwell was honored over the weekend with a procession in the Malheur National Forest, which saw the participation of firefighters and law enforcement officials. The event was held to pay tribute to the brave individual and his service to the community.