A Utah family is mourning an unimaginable loss after a flash flood near Sunglow Campground claimed the lives of five relatives, including a longtime Provo fire captain.
As loved ones continue to grieve, the family has shared a heartfelt public statement honoring those who died while offering a deeply personal glimpse into the tragedy.
A family portrait shared on social media captures the close bond they shared before the tragic flash flood. The family was later remembered by loved ones for their devotion to one another and the life they built together. | Source: Facebook/katrina.g.long
The Fire Captain’s Mother Wanted to Make One Thing Clear
The Long family lost Provo Fire & Rescue Captain Spencer Long, his wife, Katrina, and their three sons — Reid, Thayne, and Gage — in the flood. Their daughter, Lydia, survived.
In a Facebook post, Spencer’s mother, Wendi Long, reflected on the lives they lived and the legacy they leave behind.
Wendi Long and her husband pose together in a family photo. Wendi later shared a statement honoring their son, Provo Fire & Rescue Capt. Spencer Long, along with his wife, Katrina, and their three sons following the fatal flash flood. | Source: Facebook/wendi.long.39
She remembered Spencer as the eldest of four brothers who “set the example for hard work, wisdom, and quiet strength.”
According to his mother, he served as a captain with Provo Fire & Rescue after decades as a wildland firefighter, paramedic, and search and rescue responder.
Spencer Long takes part in rope-rescue training as a member of Provo Fire & Rescue. His mother said after the tragedy that he “would never knowingly put his family in danger,” emphasizing his years of training and commitment to safety. | Source: Facebook/katrina.g.long
Wendi also recalled his passion for the outdoors.
“He loved the outdoors and lived for adventure,” she wrote, remembering family trips spent sleeping under the stars, tackling difficult trails, and making memories together.
Spencer Long smiles while holding a fish during an outdoor trip, reflecting his love of spending time in nature with his family. Family members said those shared adventures were among the moments they cherished most. | Source: Facebook/katrina.g.long
She described Katrina as “the heart of their home” and a co-founder of Summit Medical Spa, where she helped build “a culture of care and community.” The tribute also honored each of the couple’s sons.
Spencer and Katrina Long pose together in front of a Provo Fire & Rescue engine. The couple were remembered by family as devoted parents whose lives centered on serving others and raising their four children. | Source: Facebook/katrina.g.long
Reid had recently returned from serving an LDS mission in Colombia and had a deep love for his church and calling.
Thayne excelled as a hockey goalie, had recently begun boxing, loved the outdoors, and launched his own vehicle detailing business, Juab Detailing, at just 13 years old.
Gage loved hockey and the outdoors, and although he lived with diabetes, his grandmother wrote that he “always had a smile on his face.” Along with remembering her family, Wendi made one point she wanted the public to understand.
Spencer Long enjoys a day of ice skating and hockey with his children. The family often spent time outdoors together, a reflection of the close bond his mother remembered as she honored the lives of Spencer, Katrina, and their three sons. | Source: Facebook/katrina.g.long
She said, “This loss is unimaginable, and we want to be clear: Spencer would never knowingly put his family in danger.”
Wendi said Lydia survived the flood and now needs the love and support of those around her. She also thanked the Mona community, firefighters, search and rescue families, Katrina’s colleagues, friends, neighbors, and extended family for their support.
She concluded by writing that the loss of Spencer, Katrina, Reid, Thayne, and Gage has left “a hole in our family that can never be filled.”
Even so, she said the family will honor them by living the values they embodied — serving others, loving deeply, and finding joy in the outdoors and in one another.
Wendi ended the tribute with a final message of remembrance: “We will forever love and miss Spencer, Katrina, Reid, Thayne, and Gage. Their spirit and legacy will live on in all of us.”
The GoFundMe Aims to Ease Lydia’s Burdens
Created by a close family friend whose husband served alongside Spencer at Provo Fire & Rescue for 12 years, the fundraise states that donations will help cover funeral and memorial expenses, housing, counseling, education, daily living costs, and other needs that Lydia may face in the months ahead.
The organizer wrote, “No amount of money can take away Lydia’s pain or replace the family she has lost. But together, we can help ease some of the burdens she now carries and remind her that she is not alone.”
The fundraiser also encourages those who are unable to donate to share the campaign and keep Lydia in their thoughts and prayers.
Katrina Long (left) and daughter Lydia (right) lean in close for a beaming indoor selfie, showing the strong resemblance and unbreakable bond shared between mother and daughter. | Source: Facebook/katrina.g.long
How Utah Honored the Long Family
The Long family’s loss prompted tributes from across Utah, with firefighters, local leaders, and elected officials joining the community in honoring Spencer, Katrina, and their three sons.
In an Instagram pos, Provo Fire & Rescue thanked everyone who stood along the funeral procession route to pay their respects.
“Your flags, your quiet presence, and your moments of respect meant more than words can express,” the department wrote. It added that the support from the community and fellow firefighters was “a powerful reminder that no one grieves alone.”
Provo City also shared a tribute after Provo Fire & Rescue escorted Spencer and his family to the funeral home.
“a solemn privilege,” the city said the procession reflected “the unbreakable bond shared throughout the fire service” and extended condolences to the family’s loved ones, friends, coworkers, and everyone mourning the tragedy.
The Long family’s loss was also recognized on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. In a separate Instagram post, Utah Representative Burgess Owens said lawmakers observed a moment of silence in memory of the family.
In his tribute, the representative called Spencer, Katrina, Reid, Thayne, and Gage “among the very best that Utah has to offer.” He also extended condolences to Lydia, the Provo Fire Department, the city of Mona, and everyone whose lives were touched by the family.
A Distressing Discovery in Wayne County
On Friday, July 17, 2026, a family arrived at Sunglow Campground near Bicknell, Utah, around 11:30 a.m. to go hiking and canyoneering in the scenic red rock canyon. They had no idea that a sudden natural catastrophe was about to unfold.
Around 5:00 p.m. that same afternoon, Wayne County officials received a frantic call after a young male victim was found dead in a nearby flood wash. Emergency crews rushed to the scene to launch an immediate search.
The two younger boys show off their matching suits and bright grins, capturing the playful camaraderie shared among the brothers. | Source: Facebook/katrina.g.long
Local resident James Todd Manwill was sitting on his front patio nearby when emergency vehicles began racing past his home. He saw law enforcement officers from Sevier County, Wayne County, and the Utah Highway Patrol speeding toward the canyon.
Manwill noted that it was not even raining at his house at the time, making the sudden rush of emergency vehicles baffling. He realized that something terrible must have happened up in the wash.
As search and rescue teams moved through the muddy terrain on Friday night, they discovered two more male victims deceased. Darkness forced rescuers to navigate dangerous conditions as they searched for two remaining missing individuals.
Fire Captain Spencer Long wraps his arm around one of his young sons, both wearing matching, full-body white zippered outfits. This proud father-son moment shows the quiet and guiding influence Spencer had in his family’s lives. | Source: Facebook/katrina.g.long
The grueling operation ended around noon on Saturday when searchers located the final two bodies. Officials from the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that all five victims were accounted for in a horrific outcome.
According to detailed reporting from FOX 13 News, heavy rain upstream caused a massive surge of water through the canyon wash. The sudden flood proved completely fatal for the unsuspecting hikers.
Spencer stands at the forefront with hands respectfully clasped, posing indoors with his three handsome sons, Reid, Thayne, and Gage, on a nearby stairway. The quartet looks unified and sharp in their tailored suits, representing a legacy of strength and unity. | Source: Facebook/katrina.g.long
The Hero Caught Off-Guard
When authorities identified the victims, the news sent massive shockwaves through the local community. The patriarch of the family was Spencer.
Spencer had served with the fire department for more than twelve years as a professionally trained first responder. He was an expert in managing crisis situations, yet he was powerless against the sudden wall of water.
His wife Katrina was killed alongside him, as were their three young sons: Reid, Thayne, and Gage. The entire family had simply gone out to enjoy a weekend getaway together.
The entire Long family poses formally outdoors against a backdrop of green foliage and a stone wall. Katrina stands elegant in navy, Lydia in a detailed black dress, and Captain Spencer looks sharp alongside his three sons, Reid, Thayne, and Gage, all dressed in their sharpest suits. | Source: Facebook/katrina.g.long
The loss hit his fellow first responders with overwhelming force. At the time of the tragedy, Provo firefighters were battling the Babylon wildfire, which was the largest active fire in the United States.
In a deeply moving show of solidarity, firefighters left the active wildfire line to join the search for their missing captain. The sacrifice underscored the profound bond shared among these brave first responders.
As coverage from AP News revealed, tributes quickly poured in from across the state. Neighboring departments, including the Pleasant Grove City Fire Department, offered their support to grief-stricken colleagues.
The Deadly Power of Desert Floods
This tragedy highlights the extreme dangers posed by Utah’s notorious monsoon season, which runs from mid-July through mid-September. Powerful storms can dump heavy rain miles away from clear, sunny canyons.
The event occurred while severe weather triggered flooding in nearby Beaver County and forced sudden closures at Zion National Park. Desert landscapes act much like concrete, causing rainwater to run off rapidly into dry washes.
As explained in official guides on flash floods in Utah canyons, walls of rushing water up to 12 feet high can surge through slot canyons in seconds. Hikers can be swept away without hearing a sound until it is too late.
Warning signs include sudden changes in water speed or color, increasing debris, or distant thunder. However, in narrow canyons, escape routes can disappear instantly.
Local resident Manwill expressed deep sadness for the young family who were just out having a good time. He advocated for better monsoon warning systems in Wayne County so visitors can be alerted to distant storms.
Honoring a Lasting Legacy
The impact of the Long family reached far beyond their neighborhood. Katrina was a former council member in Mona City, where residents praised her dedicated leadership and kindness.
She was also the co-founder of a local business, where colleagues struggled to process the news. A message posted on Summit Medical Spa’s Facebook page remembered her passing as an “unimaginable” loss.
Her colleagues described her as the heart of their business, leading with grace and making everyone feel like family. Her legacy of service continues to inspire those she worked alongside.
Meanwhile, grief counselors and fellow firefighters have rallied around Lydia to offer ongoing support. Official updates shared on Provo Fire & Rescue’s Facebook page reflected the deep sorrow felt across the department.
Though five members of this extraordinary family were lost in a moment, their memory will live on in the hearts of their community. As the community wraps its arms around Lydia during this painful period, her story serves as a tragic reminder of nature’s unpredictable power.
In a strikingly similar ordeal that happened a little over three months ago, another young couple’s final moments were revealed after rapid floodwaters swept their car into a flooded ditch while returning home to their small children.
