Governor Kotek orders public flags to half-staff in memory of single-engine air tanker pilot James Maxwell

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Governor Tina Kotek on Tuesday ordered flags at Oregon public institutions to be flown at half-staff between sunrise on Wednesday, July 31 to sunset on Thursday, August 1, in memory of James Bailey Maxwell, 71, the lifelong pilot killed in the crash of his single-engine air tanker while helping fight an Eastern Oregon wildfire.

Maxwell, an Idaho resident, was piloting a single engine-air tanker (SEAT) in the vicinity of the Falls Fire located near Seneca on the Malheur National Forest. The SEAT went missing the evening of July 25 and was recovered by Grant and Harney County sheriff search and rescue and personnel assigned to the fire on the morning of July 26.

“I am deeply saddened by the tragic death of Mr. Maxwell while he fought the Falls Fire. On behalf of Oregon, I want to extend my condolences to Mr. Maxwell’s family, loved ones, and fellow firefighters,” Governor Kotek said. “I would also like to thank the search and rescue team for their quick recovery efforts to bring Mr. Maxwell home.”