Michael “Bruce” Wells

Fire Captain Michael “Bruce” Wells of the Kern County Fire Department in Bakersfield, California, passed away on January 28, 2024 after a courageous battle with occupational-related kidney cancer. He was 51 years old and had served as a first responder for 30 years.

Wells grew up in a small community on the central coast of California, Los Osos. He enjoyed playing soccer, running cross-country, and playing in the band. He was a graduate of Morro Bay High School. He was inspired to serve others by his grandfather and uncle who were firefighters. Wells loved all aspects of firefighting but was particularly drawn to wildland, joining a hotshot crew in 1994. He was instrumental in starting the Crew 10 Golden Empire Hotshots in 2001. Wells mentored many young men through the years in the fire academy and on the fire line. He was very proud to be hired full-time as a Kern County firefighter in 1997. In 2001, he was promoted to Fire Engineer and on to Fire Captain in 2009. He loved helping his community and was greatly respected by all. 

Wells married his wife, Lisa, in 2002 and they went on to have three sons together, Colton, Caleb, and Christopher. The family loved spending time together, camping, hiking, and fishing in Colorado and along the Kern River. He was a devoted husband and a loving father.

Kern County Fire Department Fire Captain Michael “Bruce” Wells is survived by his loving wife, Lisa, sons, Colton, Caleb, and Christopher, his mother, Georgia Wells, and many other cherished family members and friends.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation has provided the Wells family with a mortgage-free home through the Fallen First Responder Home Program.