Never Forget

Caleb Hamm

Incident Name:  CR 337 Fire, Palo Pinto County, Texas
Date:  July 7, 2011, 1550 hrs
Personnel: Caleb Nathaniel Hamm
Age: 23, he would have been 24 on August 25, 2011
Agency/Organization: Bureau of Land Managements Bonneville Interagency Hotshot crew working for the Texas Forest Service
Position: firefighter

Summary: On July 7, 2011 at approximately 1550 hours, crewmembers from the Bonneville IHC were performing cold trailing operations after completing hand fireline construction in Division A of the CR 337 Fire. This location is approximately 5 miles northwest of Mineral Wells, in Palo Pinto County, Texas. Weather conditions were very hot, with afternoon temperatures exceeding 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Without exhibiting any noticeable signs of distress, crewmember Caleb Hamm lost consciousness and stopped breathing. Initial efforts to restore breathing were unsuccessful.

Emergency medical response was activated at approximately 1555 and at approximately 1700 Caleb arrived at Palo Pinto General Hospital in Mineral Wells. Caleb was pronounced dead by the attending physician shortly after.