Final Post

We would like to thank you for attending Tim Hart's Memorial Service either in person or online.  Your support of him and for his family is greatly appreciated.  Ths blog will remain in place as a tribute to Tim but will not be monitored or posted any more.

Thank you

Tim Hart Memorial Complete

Tim Hart’s Memorial began at 11 am today on a beautiful, breezy day in Cody, Wyoming. Nearly 300 people watched the livestream and over 400 attended in person: friends from the community of Cody, local family and those from across the country, his West Yellowstone crew of smokejumpers, representatives from other jump bases in the US, other firefighters and many representatives from the Forest Service and other agencies.
 

Tim's family arrives

Tim, with his wife Michelle and dog Dash, was a Cody resident. He died from injuries sustained on May 24 while responding to the Eicks Fire in Hildago County, New Mexico. Statements of condolence came in from Governors of Montana and Wyoming, the Cody Mayor, the Chief of the Forest Service, smokejumpers from across the country and many members of the public. 

Today’s service began with opening statements from Grangeville Smokejumper Base Manager Mike Blinn, followed by the posting of the colors by the Honor Guard. Comments were made by Chief of the Forest Service Vicki Christiansen, the Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon, and Cody Mayor Matt Hall followed by comments from family and friends. 

Tim's crew onstage for the
Bell Ceremony

The flag folding ceremony was next followed by presentations of National, State and Forest Service flags to members of Tim’s Family. His wife Michelle was also presented with a statue from the Wildland Firefighter Foundation. 

Even more solemn ceremonies followed, all traditions in the fire service. Tim's entire crew came on stage for the Bell Ceremony. This ceremony symbolizes the devotion that these brave souls have for their duty. A special signal of three rings,  three times each, represents the end of a firefighter’s duties  and that they will be returning to quarters.

It says to those who have selflessly given their lives for the good of their fellow man, that their tasks are completed, their duties well done. It’s their last alarm, they are going home. 

The Pipe & Drum Corp

This was followed by Amazing Grace played by the Pipe and Drum Corp. And finally, The Last Call closed out the ceremony with a radio call to Tim from Bozeman Dispatch, which goes unanswered, followed by Dispatch’s last words thanking Tim for his service. 

Honor Guard uniforms

All in all, the day went well and the Forest Service and Tim’s family appreciated the support that was shown. The timhartmemorial.blogspot.com will remain up for people to look at. A video of the service will be posted on the blog once it's done.

Practice Day at the Cody High School Stadium

There is an expectation that there will be a lot of people at the Memorial for smokejumper Tim Hart tomorrow at the Cody High School football field at 11:00 am.  The public is welcome and encouraged to come to pay honor to Tim who lost his life due to injuries he sustained during a jump. Those who plan to come should look at timhartmemorial.blogspot.com to get information on seating and parking.

Today, things were busy at the high school as members of the forest service, the honor guard, the school, Tim's crew and other firefighters worked to get the stage built and ready for the event, check the sound system, look at seating arrangements, prepare rooms for family to gather and much more. 

One of the primary groups that uses the time before a memorial to practice is the Honor Guard whose precise movements require hours of focused drills.

They walk the route over and over until they know the exact number of steps, they rehearse the presentations they will be making, and fold flags over and over.  

The Honor Guard is a very special and very appreciated part of every Memorial from escorting the fallen firefighter home to ensuring he or she is never left alone.

Governor Honors Tim Hart at Capitol

Montana Governor Gianforte made remarks and requested a moment of silence in Tim’s honor at the start of his 2021 fire briefing in the capitol earlier this week.

Public Are Welcome To Attend Memorial

 Public Attendance

Members of the public are welcome to attend the Memorial for Tim Hart at Cody High School football field on Saturday. There is a seating chart located under the SEATING tab to help you find a spot to sit. Please use the North Entrance but the South Entrance is also available if you need a handicapped accessible way to enter.

A Moment of Silence

On June 10, 2021, Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon and state and federal land managers provided Wyomingites and visitors an update on this summer’s wildfire danger and what everyone can do to prevent, prepare and respond to wildfires. Before the briefing, Governor Gordon acknowledged the passing of Smokejumper Tim Hart and paused for a moment of silence.

Flag Raising Ceremony at West Yellowstone

On Wednesday, June 9, 2021 the Honor Guard, West Yellowstone Smokejumpers, Custer Gallatin National Forest, Caribou-Targhee National Forest, and the West Yellowstone community participated in a Ceremonial Flag Raising to honor Tim Hart.  About 80 people attended the ceremony conducted by the Honor Guard.             

Honor Guard Flag Raising

The same American flag has been with Tim since El Paso and will be presented to his wife Michelle at the memorial service on Saturday.  The Forest Service flag will be presented to Tim’s sister.  

A crowd of about 80 paid thier respects.

From BLM Great Basin Smokejumpers

 

from the BLM Fire program/the BLM Great Basin Smokejumpers. 

Public invited to today's flag event

 Here the Honor Guard practices for
today's flag ceremony

Local employees and the community are invited to attend a Ceremonial Flag Raising at the West Yellowstone Smokejumper Base today, June 9, at 1100 a.m..  

The Forest Service Honor Guard will raise a flag over the Jump Base in honor of Tim Hart, one of two that will be presented to Tim’s wife Michelle during Saturday's Memorial.
 
It is traditional to present the family with a flag flown over the deceased's home unit and West Yellowstone was Tim's home base.

New Video Available

 A new video about Tim's journey home is available on the video tab. In addition, there is more information posted to other tabs as well, such as Attendence & Dress, Protocols, and Parking. Information will be added and updated as it becomes available.

From Alaska Smokejumpers

 

Governor Orders Flags at Half-Staff

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 7, 2021
CONTACT: Michael Pearlman, Communications Director
 Michael.Pearlman@wyo.gov

Governor Orders Flags To Half-Staff Statewide on June 11 to Honor Cody Firefighter

CHEYENNE, Wyo. –   Governor Mark Gordon has ordered both the U.S. and Wyoming State Flags be flown at half-staff statewide from sunrise to sunset on Friday, June 11, 2021 in honor and memory of wildland firefighter and Cody resident Tim Hart. A smokejumper from the West Yellowstone Smokejumper base in Montana, Mr. Hart passed away June 2 from injuries sustained while responding to the Eicks Fire in Hildago County, New Mexico.

Governor Gordon has issued the following statement to accompany the announcement:

Jennie and I send our deepest condolences to Tim’s family. We acknowledge the commitment of the men and women who fight fires wherever they are needed around the country, and we pray tragedies such as this one never occur. The loss of a firefighter impacts the entire community of firefighters and first responders, as well as the community in which they live. Wyoming grieves the loss of this fine individual and we are grateful for his service to the state and our country.

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Tim Hart Memorial - News Release

Custer Gallatin National Forest, Northern Region
Shoshone National Forest, Rocky Mountain Region

Forest Service News Release

Contact: 307-296-7660
www.fs.usda.gov/custergallatin

PDF of News release

Memorial Planned Honoring Fallen Smokejumper Tim Hart

Cody, WY (June 7, 2021) – The memorial service honoring Tim Hart, the smokejumper who died from injuries sustained while responding to the Eicks Fire in southern New Mexico, will be held on Saturday, June 12, 2021 in Cody, Wyoming.  The service will be held at the Cody High School Football Stadium at 920 Beck Avenue, Cody, Wyoming starting at 11:00 a.m. MDT.  The football stadium will  open at 10:00 a.m. MDT for those attending to begin arriving.   

Tim grew up in Zion, Illinois and lived in Cody, Wyoming with his wife Michelle and their dog Dash.  During his firefighting career Tim was an Engine Crew Member on the Coconino, Fremont-Winema, and Shoshone National Forests.  He was a Lead Firefighter on the Asheville and Ruby Mountain Hotshot Crews.  He moved to Grangeville, Idaho as a Rookie Smokejumper in 2016.   In 2019, he transitioned to West Yellowstone and the Custer Gallatin Forest first as a Squad Leader and then as a Spotter. 

“We are feeling profound loss with Tim’s passing – particularly our smokejumper and firefighting communities,” said Kathy Minor, Acting Custer Gallatin National Forest Supervisor.  “Our thoughts and prayers go out to Tim’s family and friends during this very difficult time.  Tim’s thorough approach, kindness, sense of humor, love of music and leadership in the smokejumping community will be very deeply missed but never forgotten.”

A blogspot has been created for those who would like to share a condolence to Tim’s family.  It can be found at  www.fs.usda.gov/custergallatin.  Condolences can also be mailed to Tim Hart family, c/o Shoshone Forest Supervisor’s Office, 808 Meadow Lane, Cody, WY 82414.

 

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

From the Asheville Hotshots

 

Asheville Inertagency Hotshots

From Ruby Mountain Hotshots

Ruby Mountain Interagency Hotshot Crew

From West Yellowstone Jump Base

 

Forest Service Release

Forest Service Mourns the Death of Firefighter

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Bozeman, MT, June 3, 2021 -U.S. Forest Service mourns the loss of wildland firefighter Tim Hart who was fighting fire in New Mexico. "I am deeply saddened to share that Tim Hart, a Forest Service Smokejumper, has died from injuries sustained on May 24 while responding to the Eicks Fire in Hildago County, New Mexico,” said Forest Service Chief Vicki Christiansen. “Our hearts go out to Tim’s family, loved ones, friends, fellow Forest Service employees, and the entire wildland fire community, and I ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers during this time of sorrow while respecting the family’s privacy.”

In 2006 he began his wildland firefighting career on the Coconino National Forest and then the Fremont-Winema National Forest as an Engine Crew Member. Then in 2009, he joined the Shoshone National Forest as a Lead Forestry Technician on an Engine and in 2010 detailed to the Asheville Interagency Hotshot Crew as a Lead Firefighter. 

Tim worked for the Bureau of Land Management on the Ruby Mountain Hotshot Crew. He joined the smokejumper program in 2016 and re-located to Grangeville, Idaho as a Rookie. In 2019 his wildland firefighter journey took him to West Yellowstone, Montana as a Smokejumper Squad Leader and in 2020 as a Spotter.

Memorial services information is not yet available. For more information: www.fs.usda.gov/custergallatin

Tim Hart Biography

Tim graduated high school from Zion Benton High School in Zion, Illinois.  He continued his educational career attending Southern Illinois University where he studied Forestry and Natural Resources.  He graduated cum laude from Southern Illinois and pursued a master’s degree in Natural Resources Management and Forestry from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point.

In 2006 he began his wildland firefighting career on the Coconino National Forest and then the Fremont-Winema National Forest as an Engine Crew Member.

In 2009, he joined the Shoshone National Forest as a Lead Forestry Technician on an Engine and in 2010 detailed to the Ashville Interagency Hotshot Crew as a Lead Firefighter.  Following this detail assignment Tim decided to join the Ashville Crew permanently and moved to North Carolina.

In 2013 he moved to Elko, Nevada to work for the Bureau of Land Management on the Ruby Mountain Hotshot Crew. 

He decided to join the smokejumper program in 2016 and re-located to Grangeville, Idaho as a Rookie. In 2019, his wildland firefighter journey took him to West Yellowstone, Montana as a Smokejumper Squad Leader and in 2020 as a Spotter.

He married his wife Michelle in Cody, Wyoming in 2019 where they lived with their dog Dash.  He and Michelle shared a love of music – Tim’s instrument of choice being the banjo.  With his Illinois roots he was a huge Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears fan.

His thorough approach, kindness, sense of humor, and leadership skill were an instrumental component of the West Yellowstone Smokejumper Base.  He will be greatly missed.

Chief Christiansen's Statement

I am deeply saddened to share with you that Tim Hart, a smokejumper from the West Yellowstone Smokejumper Base in Montana, passed away today as a result of injuries he sustained when jumping on the Eiks Fire in New Mexico on May 24.

Tim grew up in Illinois and lived with his wife in Cody, Wyoming.  During his firefighting career Tim was an Engine Crew Member on the Coconino, Fremont-Winema, and Shoshone National Forests.  He was a Lead Firefighter on the Ashville and Ruby Mountain (with the BLM) Hotshot Crews.  He moved to Grangeville, Idaho as a Rookie Smokejumper in 2016.   

In 2019, he transitioned to West Yellowstone and the Custer Gallatin National Forest first as a Squad Leader and then as a Spotter.   His life touched many people across the Forest Service and the wildland fire community.  He will be greatly missed.

My heart goes out to Tim’s family, friends and colleagues, and I ask all of you to keep them in your thoughts and prayers.  And, please continue to look out for each other.  I draw my strength, every day, from the compassion and dedication each of your exhibits in service to our nation.  During times of great loss, as we and our partners have experienced over the past week, we pause to reflect on the lives we have lost and the void that can never be filled – and we hold on to, and sustain each other.