Hundreds of firefighters, relatives, and community members gathered Wednesday at the Utah Valley University event center in Orem to honor Provo Fire Capt. Spencer Long and his family, who were killed in a flash flood while on a camping trip earlier this month.
A Community in Mourning
The funeral service served as a tribute to Long, 44, and his family members: his wife, Katrina, and their three sons, Reid, 20, Thayne, 13, and Gage, 12. The procession, which included five white hearses, was met by motorcycle police officers saluting the convoy as it moved through the area.
Tributes in Mona
As reported by ABC News, the community showed significant support during the service. In the family's hometown of Mona, Utah, residents lined the streets with American flags. Firefighters also participated in the tribute by displaying a giant American flag suspended between two ladder trucks as the procession passed.
Devastating Loss for Fire Department
Colleagues of the long-serving captain described the loss as a devastating blow to the region. In a statement posted on social media, Provo Fire & Rescue expressed heartbreak over the deaths, noting that the loss of Long and his family has left a void that cannot be filled. The department described Long as more than just a captain, calling him a brother, friend, and mentor to his colleagues.
Legacy of Mentorship
Tim Inman, a firefighter from Southern California, traveled to Utah specifically to attend the service and honor Long. Inman, who received guidance from Long during his early career as a probationary firefighter in Utah, described the captain as an "amazing human being" who was highly skilled at his job while maintaining a personable nature.
The July Flash Flood
The tragedy occurred on July 17, 2026, while the family was at the Sunglow Campground in Fishlake National Forest near Bicknell, Utah, according to authorities. The family had arrived at the campground for a day trip on Friday, as noted by the Wayne County Sheriff's Office.
Search and Recovery Details
According to the Wayne County Sheriff's Office, the incident was likely caused by heavy rains. Search efforts began on Friday evening after a young male victim was found dead at approximately 17:00 local time. Two additional male victims were located during that initial search, and the remaining two members of the family were found dead when searching resumed on Saturday.
Surviving Family Member Mentioned
Provo Fire & Rescue confirmed the identities of the victims following the incident. While the entire family was caught in the flood, a daughter who did not join the camping outing survived the incident, though reports indicate her life was changed forever by the event.
