An eight-year-old girl and her family’s dog died when a rotting cottonwood tree fell on their tent during a camping excursion in the Boise National Forest on September 9 at around 5 a.m.

Cadence Eastin was camping with her parents and seven siblings when the incident happened in the Pine Idaho area, off Old Logging Road. Upon arrival at the scene, deputies pronounced the young girl and the dog dead.

According to information from Idaho Rangeland, this particular area of the Boise National Forest had previously been affected by the Elk and Pony complex fires in 2013. These fires covered 280,000 acres of rangelands and forests within days. The aftermath of the fires resulted in burned-out trees. As these trees aged, their stability decreased, which the Sheriff’s office highlighted in a statement.

In light of the event, the Sheriff’s office has issued a statement advising visitors to remain vigilant about potential hazards when in remote areas of the county.

A GoFundMe page was set up to support the family during this time. 

Aurora Pearce, the organizer of the fundraiser, described Cadence as a bright and intelligent child who was keen to learn. At family gatherings, Cadence often preferred the company of adults, showcasing her unique way of interacting. Pearce emphasized how much Cadence meant to her family and noted that, as of Thursday morning, donations had surpassed $30,000.