Flags to be lowered for fallen firefighter

Aug. 26—Gov. Kate Brown ordered all flags at Oregon public institutions to be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset Monday in honor of Logan Taylor, a wildland firefighter from Talent who died Aug. 18 while battling the Rum Creek Fire northwest of Grants Pass.

"My heart breaks for the family, friends and crew of Logan Taylor," Brown said in a statement. "He will be remembered for his bravery, courage and commitment to protecting Oregonians from wildfire. Dan and I send our sincerest condolences."

Dan Little is Kate Brown's husband.

The date of the flag order coincides with a public memorial for Taylor to be held Monday.

The service starts at 10 a.m. at the Harry & David Field baseball stadium at Lithia & Driveway Fields, formerly known as U.S. Cellular Community Park, 2929 S. Pacific Highway in Medford.

Taylor, 25, was the owner and operator of Sasquatch Reforestation, a local forestry company. He was struck by a tree Aug. 18 while working on the fire burning near the Rainie Falls Trail along the lower Rogue River.

Despite lifesaving efforts by medical workers and firefighters and being airlifted to Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford, Taylor died of his injuries.

Taylor, a 2015 Phoenix High School graduate, was working as a contract firefighter for Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District at the time.

Cards for Taylor's family can be sent to ODF's Central Point office at Oregon Department of Forestry, Southwest Oregon District, Re: Logan Taylor, 5286 Table Rock Road, Central Point, OR 97502.

As of Friday, the Rum Creek Fire had reached 1,256 acres on the south side of the river. Ground and aviation crews were fighting to keep the fire from jumping the river, putting out spot fires and battling to keep the perimeter as small as possible in the steep, rugged terrain of the lower Rogue River canyon.

Reach Mail Tribune reporter Vickie Aldous at 541-776-4486 or valdous@rosebudmedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @VickieAldous.