Celebration of life for fallen firefighter, Peter Hein on Saturday, October 19

BISHOP, Calif., October 15, 2024—Peter Hein, a beloved Inyo National Forest firefighter, lost his life while on the line of duty on August 11, 2020. This Saturday, October 19, his family will be hosting a celebration of life and a procession to honor his memory.

“Pete” Hein held a long career with the U.S. Forest Service, in which he rose to the level of a Battalion Chief before pursuing a career with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). There, he attained the rank of Captain before retiring in 2018 after over 30 years of fire service.

Pete Hein with his son Trevor, circa 1990s.

He continued in his retirement volunteering with Big Pine Volunteer Fire Department, and also serving in the Planning Section of the Incident Command System. Hosted as an Administratively-Determined (AD) staff by the U.S. Forest Service, he was working in this capacity at the time of his death while assigned to the Stagecoach Fire in Kern County.

“Peter leaves behind a legacy of dedication to fire protection and indelible memories of the stories and jokes he loved to share,” said acting Fire Chief Chance Traub. “We hope folks will join us in remembering him this Saturday.”

The procession will start at 11:00 a.m. Big Pine Fire Department (181 N. Main Street, Big Pine, CA 93513) and end at the Mammoth Ranger District Auditorium (2500 Main Street, Mammoth Lakes CA 93546), where a celebration will be held at 1:00 p.m. Parking available at Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center visitor lot.

For those who cannot attend in person, the celebration in the auditorium will be broadcasted live on the Inyo National Forest’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/inyonf