YUBA CITY, Calif. — A firefighter from Yuba City recently died in a helicopter crash during a controlled burn in Texas, according to United States Forest Service officials.
Helitack Captain Daniel Lard,41, was supporting a routine burn in Texas' Sam Houston National Forest when he died March 27. Two other people in the helicopter were taken to a local hospital and treated for their injuries. There were no other fatalities.
Laird was with the Forest Service for 23 years and worked as a helitack captain with the Tahoe National Forest. Helitack crews are teams of firefighters transported by helicopter to wildfires.
Laird leaves behind a wife and daughter.
The cause of the crash in unknown. The National Transportation Safety Board and USFS are investigating, according to Tom Stokesberry, USFS public information officer.
Officials with the Tahoe National Forest have set up a memorial website to honor Laird. The website includes the following information for the public.
Public viewing: Friday, April 5
4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Ullrey Memorial Chapel, 817 Almond St., Yuba City, Calif.
Processional: Saturday, April 6
9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Ullrey Memorial Chapel to Sutter Cemetery, 7200 Butte House Rd., Sutter, Calif.
Memorial: Saturday, April 6
2 p.m.
House of Bread Church, 6521 Hazel Ave., Orangevale, Calif.
Letters of condolence may be sent to the family through the Tahoe National Forest Supervisor Office at 631 Coyote Street, Nevada City, CA 95959.
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