Firefighter Who Died in California Remembered in Home State

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — Hundreds of people turned out in Rapid City over the weekend to pay their respects to a firefighter who died while working on a forest fire in California.

Thirty-eight-year-old David Ruhl was on temporary assignment with the Big Valley Ranger District of the Modoc National Forest when he was killed late last month. The U.S. Forest Service says he died of carbon monoxide poisoning and smoke inhalation.

A procession and memorial service were held Sunday afternoon in Rapid City. U.S. Forest Service Associate Chief Mary Wagner attended, saying Ruhl's death was "felt by every member of the Forest Service."

Gov. Dennis Daugaard ordered flags in South Dakota to be flown at half-staff in Ruhl's honor on Monday, the day of his funeral in Rapid City.

Source: Firefighter Who Died in California Remembered in Home State