Cal Fire Captain Dies Hiking Near Big Sur

MONTEREY COUNTY, CA — David William Lutz, a Cal Fire San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit captain, died last week in a hiking accident near Big Sur.

Lutz, 33, died Wednesday while hiking off-duty in Pfeiffer Burns State Park. He was remembered for his strong faith and love for God, which influenced all areas of his life, Cal Fire said in a statement. He was remembered as adventurous, bold, loyal, supportive, a mentor and someone who never backed down from a challenge.

He was deeply dedicated to his family and leaves behind: wife Tisha Lutz, who is due to give birth to baby Hope at any time; step-daughter Alyssa; young children Bailey and Caleb; and his two parents, eight siblings and nieces and nephews, Cal Fire said.

"David Lutz lived life to the fullest, impacted the lives of many, and leaves behind a great legacy," Cal Fire said. "Those who know him are proud of the live he lived and all that he leaves behind."

Lutz, a native of Los Gatos and raised in Corralitos, just north of Watsonville, attended the Monterey Fire Academy and began his career as a volunteer firefighter with the Corralitos CAL FIRE station. He began his career in 2008 as a Fire Fighter I in the San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit and was most recently was stationed at the El Granada Station within the Half Moon Bay-based Coastside Fire Protection District.

— Bay City News Service contributed to this report