On August 20, 2008, personnel from the North Carolina Division of Forest Resources were dispatched to a wildland fire. Firefighter found a slow moving fire in an area with extremely rough terrain and dangerous rock cliffs. With nightfall approaching, firefighters constructed a containment line around the fire to hold the fire until the next morning. On the morning of August 21, 2008, Assistant District Forester Jessen joined other firefighters in preparations to mop up the fire. Assistant District Forester Jessen advised the IC that he was going to scout around the other side of the fire. Approximately 15 minutes later, the IC unsuccessfully attempted to contact Assistant District Forester Jessen by radio and cell phones. Firefighters were sent to check on the safety of Assistant District Forester Jessen. He was found at the bottom of a 66 foot ravine. When firefighters reached Assistant District Forester Jessen, he was obviously deceased. A complicated recovery process was executed by firefighters to remove Assistant District Forester Jessen from the ravine.