Oldham County firefighter dies while fighting Ky. blaze as fires rage on

November 13, 2023

Hannah Woosley-Collins,

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) — A 53-year-old Oldham County firefighter died on Saturday while fighting a wildfire in Kentucky, Gov. Andy Beshear said Monday.

Sgt. Thomas Petschke, Jr. died while fighting a wildfire that originated from a burning vacant structure in Goshen on Nov. 11.

Petschke, Jr. suffered a medical emergency and was transported to Norton Brownsboro Hospital where he died a short time after arriving.

“Kentuckians, please continue to join Britainy and me in praying for the family and loved ones of this brave firefighter,” Beshear said in a press release. “To honor his life and service, we will be lowering flags at all state office buildings on the day of his interment.”

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Oldham County Police Department and the Oldham County Fire Marshal’s Office are conducting a joint investigation into the origin and cause of the fire.

Following Beshear’s state of emergency order last week, he now says 16 wildfires are still active — meaning fires that are being worked on but that continue to spread, down from 31 last Thursday.

A total of 36 fires are contained and 76 fires are now considered controlled.

Nearly 27,000 acres have been impacted.

“We are witnessing a volatile fire season, and although our team is making progress, it continues to be a potentially dangerous situation,” Beshear said. “We remain grateful for those working on the frontlines to get these fires under control and protect our homes and communities.”

In addition to local and state responders, the KDF and Kentucky Emergency Management have coordinated assistance from forestry teams from the U.S. Forest Service (including the Daniel Boone National Forest) and the state forestry agencies of Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Utah, Florida, Arkansas and Texas. The Virginia Division of Forestry teamed with KDF crews to control wildfires along state lines.

Approximately 340 firefighting personnel are on location.