Tri-Lakes Volunteer Fire Department Entrapment Fatality 2026

Firefighter Jeffery Derrick responded with the Tri-Lakes Volunteer Fire Department to a grass fire. While battling the blaze, shifting winds changed the fire’s direction and the fire spread into high grass and pastureland where firefighters were working the fire lines. Firefighter Derrick tried to make his way back to the fire department vehicle but became disoriented and was overcome by the fire. Firefighter Derrick was pronounced deceased at the scene.