Dave Ruhl Memorial Fund

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Forest Service officials say Engine Captain Dave Ruhl of Rapid City was killed in the line of duty in California. They say Ruhl was responding to the Frog Fire in the Modoc National Forest near Alturas, California.

They say a search and rescue effort began Thursday night when contact could not be made with Ruhl. His body was found and identified Friday morning.

The Forest Service says Ruhl’s permanent position was that of an Engine Captain for the Mystic Ranger District here in the Black Hills. He was on temporary assignment to the Big Valley Ranger District of the Modoc National Forest where he had been serving as an assistant fire management officer since mid June.

In a release, Black Hills Forest Supervisor Craig Bobzien says, “Our hearts are heavy for Dave, Dave’s family, friends, the entire Forest Service and the wildland fire community.”