Longtime fire chief dies from apparent heart attack
Jim Krouse served as chief for 40 years, was responding to fourth call of the day
Jim Krouse died Saturday afternoon of an apparent heart attack.
August 29, 2021
Colfax Fire Chief Jim Krouse died Saturday afternoon after suffering an apparent heart attack while fighting a wildfire, his fourth call of the day.
Krouse collapsed while pulling a hose on the scene at Green Hollow Road in Colfax. He served as fire chief for nearly 40 years, from 1972 to 2010, and was a volunteer for 52 years, according to a Colfax Fire Department press release.
Several Palouse fire crews controlled the fire and extinguished the flame. Afterward, the crews gathered at Whitman Hospital and Medical Clinics and started a procession to Bruning Funeral Home, according to the release.
Firefighters then assembled at the fire station to share stories of Krouse, according to the release.
Fire Marshal Chris Wehrung and Assistant Fire Marshal Tony Nuttman went to investigate the scene because there was a fatality during the wildfire. The cause is still under investigation, according to the release.
