Craig LaBare's passion for flying could only be matched by his love for fighting fires with the USFS.  LaBare's quest to increase his knowledge, skill, and responsibilities led to his promotion to become initial attack captain in 2001.  While battling an 8,000 acre wild fire near Yosemite National Park, Craig LaBare was killed when his air tanker plane crashed near a rural town in Northern California.  Serving his sixth season with the USFS, aerial firefighter LaBare was 36 years old.