Governor Brad Little has ordered U.S. flags and State of Idaho flags to be lowered to half-staff to honor Isabella Oscarson, an Idaho Department of Lands fire crew member who was struck by a falling tree.
Flags will be lowered immediately until the day following Oscarson’s memorial service on Saturday, October 4, in accordance with Idaho law, and will be raised to full staff at sunrise Sunday, October 5.
“Idahoans are grieving the loss of Isabella Oscarson, a promising young woman whose life was cut far too short while serving the people of Idaho as a wildland firefighter. Her loss is felt deeply by the firefighting community and beyond. Please join Teresa and me in praying for Isabela’s loved ones and her Idaho Department of Lands team,” Governor Little said.
Oscarson, a seasonal employee from Minnesota, died Friday evening after being struck by a falling tree earlier that day while assisting with the U.S. Forest Service’s Tinker Bugs prescribed fire in the Nez Perce–Clearwater National Forests.
“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. “We are heartbroken and doing everything we can to support her family and our staff during this difficult time.”
Service information has not yet been released.
Please be advised that flags should be lowered to half-staff immediately starting Saturday, September 27, 2025, at the state Capitol building and at other state and local government buildings, for the tragic loss of Isabela Oscarson who was killed in the line of duty. The flags will be at half-staff immediately until the day following her memorial service on a date to be determined.
My thoughts and prayers are
With Isabel’s family, God bless and comfort them. And feel his presence and peace, in our lord jesus amen amen