Firefighter from Minnesota dies on-job in Idaho, laid to rest in Minneapolis Saturday

Gov. Tim Walz has ordered flags at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Saturday for Minnesota native firefighter Isabella “Bella” Grace Oscarson, on the day of her funeral, after she died on the job in Idaho on Sept. 26.

Oscarson, 26, was a seasonal firefighter for the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL). She was helping the U.S. Forest Service on a prescribed burn in the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest last Friday when a tree fell and hit Oscarson. She died later that day, the IDL said.

According to the press release from Gov. Walz’s office, she also served for the Minnesota Conservation Corps and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, fighting wildfires in Minnesota, Idaho, and on assignments across the country and Canada.

“Bella Oscarson dedicated her life to protecting people and nature as a wildland firefighter,” said Gov. Walz in a statement. “Her courage, service, and compassion touched lives across Minnesota, Idaho, and beyond. Gwen and I extend our deepest condolences to her parents, her partner Matt, her siblings Anarosa, Jacob, and Sophia, as well as her family, colleagues, and friends.”

“IDL extends its deepest sympathies to Isabella’s family and friends. This is a tragedy that hits the employees at Idaho Department of Lands and the broader wildland fire community extremely hard,” said Dustin Miller, Director of IDL, in a statement. “We are heartbroken and doing everything we can to support her family and our staff during this difficult time.”

On Wednesday, a procession was held for Oscarson in Idaho to honor her life. IDL said that “her kindness, leadership, and strength will never be forgotten in Idaho.”

Outside of her job, Oscarson liked spending time outdoors, cooking, crafting, gardening, reading and dancing with her family and friends, the press release said.

Originally from Watertown, Oscarson will be laid to rest in Minneapolis on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
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