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Remembering Ben Wheeler

March 9, 2022

Man in firefighting gear and red hard hat sitting on the ground, knees curled to his chest, arms around his knees, smiling. In the background, a controlled fire burns.
Ben Wheeler served as firefighter with the Eagle Lake Ranger District, Lassen National Forest since 2008.

CALIFORNIA – It is with immense sorrow that we share the news of the passing of Ben Wheeler, who worked as a firefighter on the Eagle Lake Ranger District, Lassen National Forest.

In 2008, Wheeler began his firefighting career as a Wildland Fire Apprentice with the Eagle Lake Crew 2, a Type 2 hand crew based out of the Eagle Lake Ranger District located in Susanville, California. In 2009, Wheeler fulfilled his additional apprentice hours working as an engine crewmember on Engine 84. In 2010, Wheeler worked as a Helitack crewmember with Helicopter 510 located in Chester, California.

In 2011, Wheeler returned to work as a member of the Eagle Lake Crew 2 and in 2013, he served as the Assistant Fire Engine Operator for Water Tender 185. Wheeler also served in a detail as a Lead Firefighter for the Lassen Hotshots.

In 2017, Wheeler returned to his roots with the Eagle Lake Crew 2 to serve as their Assistant Captain. During this time, the Eagle Lake Crew 2 had converted to a 10-person suppression module. Starting in 2018, the module began pursuing qualifications to be a Type 2 Wildland Fire Module and by 2019 they achieved their goal.

In 2020, Wheeler was detailed into the captain position for the WFM and was later offered the position permanently.

Wheeler was proud to represent the Lassen National Forest as its first WFM. His incredible work ethic assisted in building a successful program, one in which other Lassen Ranger Districts have used as a model.

Wheeler was a loving husband and father. He was always helping with sports and sharing his love of the outdoors with his family. He enjoyed hunting, along with cooking or barbequing what he harvested. He spent most of his life in Susanville, where he attended Lassen High School and made many lifelong friends.

Wheeler is preceded in death by his father, Terry (November 2021), whom he was very close with.

Wheeler is survived by his loving wife Kayla, sons Elijah, Ben and Brody, and his beautiful daughter Peyton, along with his mother, Mary, two brothers, four sisters, his in-laws, and many nieces and nephews.

Our condolences go out to the entire Wheeler family, their friends, Ben’s co-workers, and all those who knew and loved him. We are beyond grateful for his many years of service and dedication to this agency and our nation.

A memorial service will be held on April 9, 2022, at Sentimental Journey 465-320 Church Street, Janesville, California, 96114

Letters of condolence may be sent to: Wheeler Family c/o Eagle Lake Ranger District Office 477-050 Eagle Lake Road Susanville, CA  96130

 

https://www.fs.usda.gov/inside-fs/memorial/remembering-ben-wheeler