Memorial Service for Terry Sonner, BLM Wildland Firefighter
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Terry Sonner, a 33-year old Bureau of Land Management (BLM) firefighter, passed away the morning of Wednesday, June 10, after he and his fire crew finished physical training. His crew members immediately began medical treatment and called emergency services, but they were not able to revive him.Sonner, survived by his wife and children, had an extensive wildland firefighting career. He began firefighting in 2001 and over the course of 14 years, he became the Fire Operations Supervisor of the Hammett Guard Station Engine Crew in Hammett, Idaho, for the Boise District BLM. Sonner worked in several BLM Districts, including Twin Falls, Idaho; Elko, Nevada; and Boise, Idaho. He was loved by his family and the wildland firefighting community.Sonner's family does not wish to be contacted by media; they ask for privacy during this sensitive time. For more information, please call (208) 384-3420.A firefighter procession comprised of official wildland and structure fire apparatus will occur after the memorial service. The procession will lead the Sonner family through Buhl to a reception.Directions to designated media area: Please meet BLM spokesperson Jessica Gardetto on Sixth street North, on the northeast side of Eastman Park, near the public swimming pool. Gardetto will guide interested media into a designated media area inside the building before the memorial service begins.Where: Seventh Street Gym in Buhl, Idaho215 7th Ave N, Buhl, ID 83316Date: Friday, June 19, 2015Time: 1:45 p.m., memorial service begins at 2:00 p.m.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.