Sacramento, CA…Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today issued the following statement regarding the death of Draper City Fire Department Battalion Chief Matthew Burchett, who passed away while working on the Mendocino Complex wildfires in Northern California:

“Firefighters from across the nation – and world – have selflessly battled California’s massive wildfires, and sadly today we mourn the loss of one of those heroes from Draper, Utah, Chief Matthew Burchett. Our hearts ache for his wife and young son, family members, loved ones, colleagues with the Draper City Fire Department and the entire State of Utah.”

Chief Burchett, 42, was deployed to the California wildfires earlier this month, along with four other firefighters from Draper, Utah. He had worked with his local fire department since May and previously served 20 years with the Greater Salt Lake Unified Fire Authority.

In honor of Chief Burchett, Capitol flags will be flown at half-staff.

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