Two firefighters with the Timber Mesa Fire and Medical District died in a traffic collision while on duty over the weekend. The third person also involved in the accident on State Route 260 near Show Low has also passed away.
Officials have released the names of the two fallen firefighters: Brenna Kulikowski, 31, and Damon Thompson, 21. Kulikowski was a three-year veteran of the department, while Thompson had been serving for nearly a full year and was just two weeks away from his one-year milestone.
The Tragic Impact
The Arizona Department of Public Safety, which is investigating the crash, reports the collision occurred around 10 p.m. near milepost 319 on State Route 260, between Heber-Overgaard and Show Low. The two firefighters were on duty in an ambulance at the time of the fatal accident.
The Timber Mesa Fire and Medical District released an official statement announcing the tragedy: "Timber Mesa Fire and Medical District is saddened to announce the line of duty deaths of two of our firefighters on September 14, 2025. The firefighters were involved in a traffic collision on State Route 260. The collision is under investigation by the Arizona Department of Public Safety."
The statement continued, "Out of respect for the families, the names of our firefighters will be released once notifications have been made and as time permits. We ask that the media and the public respect the family's privacy of the fallen firefighters and to refrain from sharing unverified information. Please rely on official statements from Timber Mesa Fire and Medical District or other vetted sources."
Official Response's
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs expressed her condolences following news of the tragedy. "I'm heartbroken to learn two brave firefighters lost their lives in a tragic crash near Show Low. These heroes dedicated themselves to protecting our communities, and my thoughts are with their families, loved ones, and fellow first responders during this difficult time," she shared.
State Senator Wendy Rogers also offered her support, sharing, "We mourn this tragic loss of our dedicated first responders in [LD7]."
The fire district emphasized the impact of the loss on their organization and community.
"Our entire organization is grieving the loss of our team members. We ask for privacy and compassion as we support the families, co-workers, and community during this very difficult time," the department's statement concluded.
The Arizona Department of Public Safety continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal collision. No additional details about the crash have been released at this time.
