Tempe FD lost a ff Monday night. He had been elk hunting with a friend for 4-5 days E of Camp Verde when the blizzard started. The pair hunkered down for the night and about 2230, a 70 foot section of a ponderosa pine tree broke off about 20 feet above the ground landing on Skylar Stark's head and chest. His tent mate was uninjured and said Skylar never made a sound so it is assumed that he was killed instantly. The tent mate shot a hole on the tent that was now on fire as a result of a portable heater that was in the tent and ripped his way out of the tent. He cut himself back into the tent finding no signs of life and removed Skylar's cell phone and called 911. There was confusion regarding where the camp was located and as a result of the white out conditions, rescuers didn't arrive until 0330 Tuesday morning. Skylar was 964 and his 65 year old friend was hypothermic and suffering from smoke inhalation. Pine fire arrived and cut the body from the tree and confirmed him deceased. Skylar was 27 years old and had been with the TFD for 2 years. He leaves behind a wife, and 3 kids, ages 4 years, 2 years, and 8 months. He was a member of the LDS church. Visitation is scheduled for Friday evening at the mormon church in Queen Creek, services are scheduled for Saturday at the same location.
You need to be a member of My Firefighter Nation to add comments!
Join My Firefighter Nation