Wildland firefighter Kaitlyn Gallagher dies in Louisiana wildfire

Wildland firefighter Kaitlyn ‘KK’ Gallagher, 24, died in the line of duty on October 14 while responding to the Broken Creek Fire in Rapides Parish, Louisiana. Gallagher was struck by a tree during the incident.

Gallagher, an Alexandria, Louisiana resident, joined the U.S. Forest Service as an apprentice in 2025. Her previous experience included serving two summers in the Shoshone National Forest in Wyoming. While working for the Kisatchie National Forest, she assisted with prescribed burns and wildfire response.

Forest Supervisor Lisa Lewis stated that the loss is deeply felt throughout the Forest Service and the local community. The U.S. Forest Service is providing support to Gallagher’s family and crewmates, and its honor guard will conduct a flag memorial service in her honor.