U.S. Wildland Fire Service, Department of Interior

Wildland fire community will gather Aug. 1 in Grand Junction to honor the life and service of Rifle Helitack firefighter who died following the Knowles Fire

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — The U.S. Wildland Fire Service will join the family, friends and fellow firefighters of Nathan “Nate” Matthews to honor his life and service during a public memorial service on Saturday, Aug. 1, at The Avalon Theatre in Grand Junction.

Matthews, a Rifle Helitack firefighter from the Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit, died July 24 as a result of injuries sustained while responding to the Knowles Fire in Mesa County on June 27. He dedicated his career to protecting lives, communities and public lands, serving alongside fellow wildland firefighters with courage, professionalism and an unwavering commitment to others.

The memorial service will begin at 10 a.m. MDT on Saturday, Aug. 1, at The Avalon Theatre, 645 Main St., Grand Junction, Colorado. Firefighters and honor guard members from federal, state and local agencies will participate in the ceremony.

Members of the public are welcome to attend the memorial service and join the wildland fire community in honoring Matthews’ life and legacy. Those attending are encouraged to arrive early, follow directions from event staff and law enforcement, and be mindful of parking restrictions and traffic in the downtown area.

The memorial service will be livestreamed on the Department of the Interior YouTube channel.

On Friday, July 31, Matthews was escorted from the Denver area to Grand Junction by members of the U.S. Wildland Fire Service Honor Guard, U.S. Forest Service, Colorado State Patrol, Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control and Colorado Bureau of Investigation.