Falling tree kills California fire crew member in Calaveras Big Trees State Park

A falling tree killed a firefighter working on a prescribed burn in Calaveras Big Trees State Park.

Darin Banks, 26, of

Red Bluff was part of a contract crew preparing a site for intentional burning when the accident happened Friday, May 6. He worked for Firestorm Wildland Fire Suppression Inc., a Chicobased company that provides forest thinning and related services.

“He leaves behind his 4-year-old son, mother, siblings, grandparents and great-grandparents,” said a Gofundme page created by his employer. “Our hearts go out to all who knew and loved Darin, and we ask you to keep them in your thoughts and prayers during this time of sorrow.”

The prescribed burn will be in the South Grove of the park, which totals about 6,500 acres near Arnold. It is designed to protect centuries-old giant sequoias from intense fire by reducing the grass, brush and smaller trees in the understory.

No details have been released on Banks’ death, including the size of the dead tree that fell on him and the safety measures in place. It is under investigation by the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health and the Tuolumne County Coroner’s Office. The site is just south of the Calaveras-tuolumne county line.