Wildlife Officer Dies While Assisting Evacuation During Oklahoma Wildfire

While assisting residents evacuate from the rapidly spreading Railroad South Fire south of Oklahoma City, his last communication was while helping a family leave their home. Investigators recovered evidence from a structure that led them to conclude he died during the evacuation.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Brian Nesvik highlighted Taylor’s extraordinary courage, and Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt ordered state flags to be flown at half-staff from Sept. 1-4. Taylor had previously worked at the Rio Mora and Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuges before joining the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. The fire’s cause is still being examined, and all evacuation orders have now been lifted.