Federal Wildlife Officer David Taylor Believed Killed During Oklahoma Wildfire Evacuation

Federal Wildlife Officer David Taylor Believed Killed During Oklahoma Wildfire Evacuation

Federal wildlife officer David Taylor is believed to have died while helping residents evacuate during the Railroad South Fire in Comanche County, according to the U.S. Department of the Interior and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Taylor, 38, was assisting local emergency crews Saturday as the wildfire threatened homes near Indiahoma in southwest Oklahoma. Officials said he was going door to door helping families evacuate, and his last contact with dispatch occurred while he was assisting a family leaving their home.

Evidence recovered from a structure where Taylor had been working indicates he died during the evacuation effort. Formal identification remains pending with the medical examiner. 

Federal Wildlife Officer David Taylor Was Helping Families Escape Fire

Taylor was a federal wildlife officer with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and was assigned to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in southwest Oklahoma.

As the Railroad South Fire threatened the Indiahoma area Saturday, Taylor joined local emergency responders working to get residents out of the fire's path.

The U.S. Department of the Interior said Taylor's final communication with dispatch came while he was helping a family evacuate. Evidence was later recovered from a structure where he had been assisting a resident.

Federal officials said everything known about Taylor's actions during the fire demonstrated extraordinary courage and selflessness.

Taylor had dedicated much of his adult life to public service. In addition to serving as a federal wildlife officer, he was a Senior Chief Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve.

During 20 years of naval service, Taylor completed five deployments, including one to Iraq and four to Djibouti, Africa. He previously served at Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge and Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico before joining the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge.

Railroad South Fire Destroyed Five Homes Near Indiahoma

The Railroad South Fire was reported Saturday in Comanche County and prompted evacuations as flames threatened the Indiahoma area.

By Sunday afternoon, local emergency management officials reported the wildfire was under control and evacuation orders had been lifted, allowing residents to return to the affected area.

Officials reported five homes were destroyed and two additional homes sustained moderate damage. Three civilians were transported to hospitals for medical treatment.

Firefighters remained within the affected area after evacuation orders were lifted, working to reinforce firebreaks, extinguish and monitor hot spots and watch for possible rekindling.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs assumed the lead on firefighting operations, with local, state, federal and tribal resources continuing to assist.

The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, where Taylor served, encompasses approximately 60,000 acres near the Lawton and Fort Sill area. The refuge had already been operating under heightened fire conditions, with a Comanche County burn ban in effect because of extreme fire danger.

Oklahoma Wildfire Cause Remains Under Investigation

The cause of the Railroad South Fire remains under investigation.

Federal law enforcement officers are assisting with the investigation while firefighters continue monitoring the burn area for hot spots and renewed fire activity.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Department of the Interior are also coordinating support for David Taylor's family, coworkers and others affected by his death.

Taylor's death adds a deeply personal loss to a wildfire that already destroyed homes, injured residents and forced families from their properties.

Federal officials said Taylor remained focused on getting people to safety even as conditions became increasingly dangerous.

His actions Saturday reflected a career spent in public service, including two decades of military service and his work protecting federal lands and communities as a wildlife officer.

The Department of the Interior said additional information about Taylor and the Railroad South Fire will be released as it is confirmed.

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