Firefighter passes away while covering on the Inyo National Forest
In a press release issued by the Forest Service today, The Inyo National Forest is saddened to report that firefighter Layla Bradley, age 29, from Powell, Wyoming, died while on an assignment to the forest.
Layla was working as a member of a wildland fire engine from Dragon Fighters Inc, a company that works under contract with the US Forest Service. They were providing additional initial attack coverage for the forest during this difficult fire season.
The forest received a report of a medical emergency at the Rock Creek Fire Station on Monday, October 11. Forest Service personnel responded and attempted lifesaving efforts for Layla. Mono County Emergency personnel also responded. Unfortunately, these efforts were unsuccessful.
The Inyo National Forest staff appreciates the support that contract fire companies provide to the US Forest Service and expresses their deepest condolences to Layla’s family and friends.
Here is the Obituary written For Layla Bradley
Layla Mae Bradley was born on March 2, 1992, in Cody. She came barreling into the world, early and fast, and had a rich childhood growing up with views of Heart Mountain and the McCullough Peaks from her expansive backyard.
Layla loved the outdoors and would seek places to work and study that gave her opportunities for hiking, camping, skiing and rock climbing. It’s not a stretch to say that Layla was a risk-taker who enjoyed anything that might lead to an adrenaline rush! This became fully realized when she chose as her life’s avocation to be a Wildland Firefighter.
Since 2018, she was employed by Dragon Fighters Inc. based out of Clark and sent to sites throughout the country. During this time, Layla worked her way up from crew member to engine boss and gained the respect, admiration and love of her employers.
She was known for “running a tight ship,” and motivating and training her co-workers. Layla impacted many people across the country that never even met her, many of whom owe their homes and businesses to her efforts and tenacity in protecting them.
Layla was extremely athletic. She participated in many sports, including volleyball and baseball in high school in Powell, as well as rugby in college in Colorado. Working out was a daily part of her life. Encouraging others, like her family, friends and co-workers, to follow their own regimens, was her way of helping people take care of themselves.
The Bradley home was always filled with music and Layla’s tastes were diverse, including folk, classical, rock, blues, hip-hop and country. The whole family, Burt, Janet, Sierra and Layla would often trade and share music they enjoyed. When it came time to choose an instrument, Layla selected the trumpet, perhaps inspired by Louis Armstrong, which she played with gusto in the Powell High School jazz band.
Although she hadn’t yet reached 30 years, Layla’s impact on her family, friends and communities in which she lived was deep and lasting. Her friendships go back to her childhood. She remained in contact with treasured teachers, mentors, and friends from elementary school through college in Powell and Colorado.
She was a gifted writer who wrote poetry and letters, and communicated faithfully, whether by phone or text, with her family and closest friends. On social media, she wrote “Live like there’s no tomorrow,” and that’s what she did. Her family and friends used words like “fierce,” “brave,” “real,” “spontaneous,” “generous,” “goofy,” “unique,” “compassionate,” and “deeply loving and caring.”
When situations were tough or challenging, Layla stepped up to the plate. She accepted being the responsible one with grace and skill.
Layla died unexpectedly in mid-afternoon on Monday, Oct. 11, 2021, just outside of the small town of Bishop, Calif., where she and her crew had been on a firefighting assignment.
Left to grieve this unfathomable loss are Layla’s mom Janet Reed-Bradley of Powell, sister Sierra Bradley Warfel, her husband Maris, their son and Layla’s beloved nephew Dylan, of Billings, brother Burton J. Bradley and nephew and niece, Alex and Sofia of Olympia, Wash., uncles Tim Bradley of Seattle, Wash., and Dennis Bradley of Granite Bay, Calif., aunt and uncle, Nancy and Terry Morgan of McDonough, Ga., and their children, Jessica Morgan and family and Terri Jean Ragan and family, aunt Ruth Morgan of McDonough, aunt Deb Reed and cousin Ivy Eagleton and family of Powell, and so many friends and relationships that Layla cherished throughout her life.
Preceding her in death were her dad Burt Bradley, who passed away in January 2021, grandparents Betty and Gordon Brookhart, Burton H. Bradley, Norma and Donald Reed and uncle, Terry Reed.
Layla was most proud of the work she did as a firefighter. It was her life’s passion. With that in mind, her family requests that for those who so desire, gifts can be made in Layla Bradley’s name to Wildland Firefighter Foundation, ffoundation.org.
A memorial service to be held in Powell will be announced at a later date.
