Luke Befumo (Grangeville ’24)
Posted: September 18, 2026
Luke was born January 16, 1997, the son of Laura Lee and Paul Befumo. He died on July 27, 2026, in a swimming accident on Payette Lake near McCall, ID. He was 29 years old.
Luke grew up in Missoula and attended Hellgate HS, where he competed on the swim team. He later attended the University of Montana to study snow science.
It was during his college years that Luke discovered wildland firefighting for summer work. It quickly became his passion. After a stint on the Santiam River handcrew on the Willamette NF, he moved to Grangeville, ID, to pursue his dream of becoming a smokejumper. After completing his rookie season in 2024, he was hired as a permanent employee at the McCall base, where he jumped the fire seasons of 2025-26. He worked for the USFS for a total of eight years.
Luke was known for his generous heart and found deep satisfaction in helping others. He was an avid outdoorsman, and through his pursuit of snow sports, hiking, whitewater kayaking, and many other adventures, he rejoiced in the rush of being alive.
As a member of the McCall fire family, Luke exuded full-throttle energy and left an indelible impression on virtually everyone he worked with.
Jamie Carter (MYC-24) described Luke as a jumper who was always professional, competent, and upbeat.
“Personally, I knew Luke as the best friend and bro you could think of,” Jamie wrote on social media. “He was a ripping snowboarder, mountain biker, snowmobiler. He always had a smile on his face and was never too busy to listen what you had to say, or to help you with a project. He was extremely caring [and] kind, and if he didn’t know how to fix something, he’d figure it out.”
Phillip Metsker (MYC-20) wrote on social media that “Luke had an infectious energy that inspired everyone around him to want to be a better person. He was always willing to give you his time….He was fit, positive, caring, hardworking, professional, highly intelligent, and just epitomized the ‘best of us’ at the McCall [base].”
As much as his premature passing shattered the people who loved him, they have found comfort in knowing that Luke lived a life full of love and joy. He was a treasured family member and friend, a dedicated career firefighter, and a loving partner to his girlfriend, Sarah.
