08/13/2026
🖤🔥 END OF WATCH — WILDLAND FIREFIGHTER LESLIE R. WASHINGTON 🔥🖤
August 11, 2026
It is with a heavy heart that we honor Leslie R. Washington of Noorvik, Alaska, a wildland firefighter and member of K-River Crew No. 2 with Scorched Earth Services (S.E.S. Fire).
Leslie was deployed to Minnesota and assigned to the Bear Trap Fire, part of the July Lightning Fires near Ely. On August 11, Leslie suffered a medical emergency while assigned to the incident. Fire personnel and emergency medical services responded, and he was transported to a medical facility, where he later passed away.
But Leslie Washington was far more than a name on an incident roster.
Those who worked beside him remembered a man with a strong work ethic, a smile he carried every day, and a friendship he freely gave to those around him. A fellow firefighter described Leslie as a longtime firefighter from Noorvik, a hard worker and a good friend to everyone on the crew.
Those words tell us something important about the man behind the badge.
Wildland firefighting is built upon people willing to work long hours in difficult country, far from their families and communities, while trusting the people standing beside them. Leslie was one of those people. He traveled thousands of miles from Alaska to Minnesota to answer the call and help protect communities he may never have known before this assignment.
Today, the wildland fire community stands with Leslie’s family, friends, K-River Crew No. 2, S.E.S. Fire, the community of Noorvik, and everyone whose life was touched by him.
His final assignment may have taken him far from Alaska, but he will make his journey home surrounded by the respect and honor he earned through a life of service.
Rest easy, Brother Leslie.
Your assignment is complete.
We’ll take it from here. 🖤
🔥 SAFETY MESSAGE — IN HONOR OF LESLIE R. WASHINGTON
Today, take an extra moment for your crew. Check on the firefighter beside you. Watch for the signs that someone may not be doing well. Speak up when something doesn’t look right, and never hesitate to stop operations when a firefighter needs help.
Look after one another—not only when the flames are in front of you, but every moment you are on assignment.
Do it for your crew.
Do it for the families waiting at home.
Today, do it in honor of Leslie R. Washington.
