October 8, 2014 - SACRAMENTO – Assembly Member Frank Bigelow, R-O’Neals, issued the following statement today regarding the death of pilot Geoffrey “Craig” Hunt, who was killed while piloting an airtanker battling the Dog Rock Fire in Yosemite National Park:
“I am heartbroken to have received the news of the passing of Craig Hunt, whose airtanker went down in the Assembly District that I represent. As a volunteer firefighter myself, I know firsthand the dangers that first responders like Mr. Hunt face on a daily basis, where each day fighting a fire could be our last. My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this very difficult time.
“This tragedy unfortunately emphasizes the dangers that firefighters are facing during the extreme drought. All Californians owe a debt of gratitude to people like Mr. Hunt for putting their lives on the line each day to protect our lives and property. It is because of their efforts that California is able to limit the impact of these devastating fires.”
Lifelong rancher Frank Bigelow proudly represents the 5th Assembly District, which encompasses Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Madera, Mariposa, Mono, Placer, and Tuolumne counties and includes Lake Tahoe and Yosemite National Park.
