A section of State Route 140 has been dedicated in memory of two fallen U.S. Bureau of Land Management firefighters who lost their lives in a 2016 traffic crash.
On July 10, 2016, BLM wildland firefighters Jacob O’Malley and Will Hawkins died in a single-vehicle rollover crash on State Route 140 while on routine patrol for lightning-sparked fires. Their vehicle overturned about 37 miles north of Winnemucca, due to tire failure. State Route 140 extends northwest from U.S. 93 north of Winnemucca to the Oregon state line.
Governor Sandoval spoke at the dedication ceremony on Thursday Nov. 2, as did the mothers of both firefighters. Nevada Highway Patrol’s Honor Guard, Nevada Department of Transportation and BLM representatives also participated in the dedication. The third firefighter, who survived the car accident was also present. The ceremony dedicated 12 miles of the state route in the firefighters’ names.
The segment between the U.S. 95/State Route 140 junction and 12 miles northwest of the junction was dedicated, with one four by six-foot sign installed in each direction to read “Highway Segment Dedicated to BLM Firefighters Will Hawkins and Jacob O’Malley.”
There are six other state roads officially named in honor of an individual, not including U.S. presidents. The road is also part of the Winnemucca to the Sea Highway, dedicated in September of 1962 to recognize a continuous, improved route from the previous U.S. 40 (now I-80) in Winnemucca through Medford, Oregon to the Pacific Coast at Crescent City, California.
