Formal procession for fallen USFS firefighter

The U.S. Forest Service and cooperating fire agencies will escort fallen U.S. Forest Service wildland firefighter Michael Hallenbeck from South Lake Tahoe to Green Valley Mortuary in Rescue on Aug. 13.

The 21-year-old was working for the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit when died Aug. 8 after being struck by a falling tree while battling the Sierra Fire.

Michael Hallenbeck

The procession will start at the Y in South Lake Tahoe at approximately 10am and proceed westbound on Highway 50 up Echo Summit through Sierra-at-Tahoe  to Placerville, ending at approximately 2pm.

The public is invited to show support along the procession route, in particular at the Cordon of Honor at the intersection of highways 50 and 89 in Meyers. In the Cordon of Honor, people line both sides of the roadway as a show of respect as the procession passes. The procession will pass under American flags suspended from two ladder trucks.

California Highway Patrol advises motorists to be prepared for slow-moving traffic and brief delays along the route.

Private memorial services are planned for Aug. 15. The Hallenbeck family has set up a fund to receive donations on their son’s behalf for funeral services as well as to make contributions to organizations that have helped Michael (Bi Polar Insights, Green Valley Church, and Wildland Fire Fighters Foundation). Donations may be made in care of Hallenbeck – Mikey-Hallenbeck Memorial Fund Account No. 2099471902 by either going into a Wells Fargo Bank branch or mailing it to:  Wells Fargo Bank, Attn:  R. Bechtel, 1512 Eureka Road, Suite 300, Roseville, CA  95661

South Lake Tahoe along with other agencies in the basin have lowered their flags to half staff to honor Hallenbeck. Flags will remain at half staff until the services.

Sierra-at-Tahoe will be the site of a candlelight vigil for Hallenbeck tonight at 7.

Hallenbeck is survived by his parents, Toni and Kirby Hallenbeck, and sister Jessica Hallenbeck.