Pilot brothers who sparked Canyon fire when their plane smashed into brush are identified

Two brothers killed in a plane crash that sparked the fast-moving Canyon Fire in Kern County have been identified.

The crash happened May 7 on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land near Ridgecrest, igniting a wildfire that rapidly exploded to more than 2,200 acres as firefighters battled steep terrain and difficult access conditions near the El Paso Mountains Wilderness area.

According to the BLM, officials received reports around 12:15 p.m. of a commercial aircraft crash in the Ridgecrest Field Office area that resulted in two deaths and a vegetation fire.

Search and rescue teams and BLM rangers responded alongside partner agencies as crews worked to secure the scene and investigate the cause of the crash.

The victims were named by family members as Ramzi Al-Shurman and his “brother” identified only as Temo.

Two separate GoFundMe pages have been set up, one created for Ramzi’s wife Nadeen, who described the 28-year-old as a newly graduated flight instructor who had been preparing to begin his dream job as a private pilot in the coming days.

“Nadeen’s world was turned upside down yesterday when her husband, Ramzi (28 years old), a newly graduated flight instructor, tragically lost his life in a plane crash,” the fundraiser stated.

“Just ten days away from starting his dream job as a private pilot, his sudden passing has left Nadeen and her three children facing unimaginable heartbreak and uncertainty.”

The fundraiser said Ramzi had spent years “dedicating his time and resources to building a brighter future for his family.” By Monday, the campaign for Ramzi had raised more than $77,000 toward a $200,000 goal.

Family members said Ramzi leaves behind his wife and three young children, with loved ones now rallying to help support the family financially in the wake of the tragedy.

“With Ramzi gone, Nadeen is now the sole provider for her children,” organizers wrote. “Every contribution will help Nadeen manage regular everyday expenses as she works to create stability for her family during this incredibly difficult time.”

The second GoFundMe fundraiser launched by Temo’s fiancée detailed the devastating impact of losing both brothers in the same crash.

“This loss is even more heartbreaking as Temo and his dear brother, Ramzi, passed away together in a plane crash,” the fundraiser read.

Temo’s fiancée said she was seeking help covering travel expenses so she could travel to California to “say my final goodbye and be with his loved ones.”

“The family is mourning the loss of both Temo and Ramzi, and your support will help us come together during this incredibly difficult time,” she wrote, adding that any unused funds would go toward funeral expenses.

Meanwhile, firefighters spent hours trying to gain control of the blaze after flames spread rapidly through rugged desert terrain.

CAL FIRE said the Canyon Fire was first reported near Highways 14 and 178. Within minutes, the fire grew from roughly 100 acres to 800 acres before surging past 2,000 acres by the evening. Officials later estimated the fire at more than 2,200 acres, with containment remaining limited.

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