DNR ranger killed by lightning while working in Kettle Moraine Forest

A Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources officer was the subject of a search on Monday, September 22, 2025, after not returning home from his day of work.

48-year-old Adam Zirbel from Plymouth was employed as a forester for the DNR and was working in the New Fane Trail area Monday. During the search, his vehicle was found in eastern Fond du Lac County and Zirbel would later be found deceased in a wooded area, just into Washington County.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Division investigated the death, along with the Wisconsin DNR, and the Washington County Medical Examiner’s Office. The investigation revealed that Zirbel was killed by a lightning strike. Using triangular lightning detection sensors, investigators verified that there was a documented lightning strike in that area around 10:15 am that morning.

While lightning strike deaths aren’t common, The Washington County Sheriff’s Office says this case illustrates the need to take the threat of lightning and the dangers it poses seriously.

Also on Monday, two men were struck and killed by lightning in Florida. These deaths brings September’s lightning deaths up to five in the U.S. The deadliest September since 2013 when five deaths were also recorded.

About 20 people are killed annually by lightning in the United States.