A federal wildlife officer who had deployed to wildfires across the West is believed to have died while trying to get residents out of harm's way in Oklahoma. The US Fish and Wildlife Service says David Taylor, 38, of Scio, Oregon, was going door-to-door with emergency crews on Saturday as a fast-moving blaze burned south of Oklahoma City. His last radio contact came as he helped a family leave their home, Fox News reports. Evidence later found in a structure led officials to conclude he was killed during the evacuation effort.
"Everything we know about David's actions reflects extraordinary courage, selflessness and devotion to duty," US Fish and Wildlife Service Director Brian Nesvik said in a statement. "When people were in danger, David was there helping them get to safety. He remained committed to protecting others under the most dangerous circumstances. We mourn alongside his family, friends and colleagues, and we will never forget his service." Taylor was a senior chief petty officer in the Navy Reserve, with five deployments—including to Iraq and Djibouti—over two decades of service. He had previously worked at wildlife refuges in New Mexico before joining Oklahoma's Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt ordered US and state flags on public property lowered to half-staff from Sept. 1–4 in Taylor's honor. "Sarah and I are praying for his family, his fellow officers and everyone who was impacted by this tragedy," the governor said. The Railroad South Fire in Comanche County destroyed at least five homes and injured three civilians, KSWO reports. Evacuation orders prompted by the fire have now been lifted.
,
uBlock 
,
and
Ghostery 
)
