A wildfire in northern California claimed the life of volunteer firefighter Karen Jane Savage on October 17, 1999. Savage died as a result of being hit by a fire truck at the scene; according to one report, she was removing a piece of equipment from the vehicle when it started moving and she was knocked under the wheels. Her partner, Bob Feezer, also a volunteer firefighter, was on the scene and witnessed the accident.

Savage was a member of the Junction City Volunteer Fire Department, which had responded from fifty miles away to help fight the 26,000-acre fire. Fueled by unusually strong and persistent north winds, the wildfire raged through forested land and small towns east of Redding, in northern California's Shasta County. By the evening of October 17th, it had not been contained; it had spread to a width of 15 miles and burned at least 75 homes. The accident in which Savage died occurred near the town of Bella Vista, eight miles from Redding.

Savage was described by friends and acquaintances as "a totally unselfish person" who "gave herself to her community." She and Feezer have two daughters, Anna, 9, and Emme, 6; Savage also leaves another daughter, Sandra, 25.

Firehouse.com AP article on Savage's death
Sacramento Bee article about Karen Savage