CO Firefighter Suffers Burns from Saw at Prescribed Burn

Oct. 11, 2016
The Canyon Lakes Ranger District firefighter suffered second degree burns while using a chain saw.

A firefighter was hospitalized with burns after an incident involving a chainsaw near Rustic.  

Canyon Lakes Ranger District firefighters and rangers were conducting a prescribed burn in Red Feather Lakes Monday afternoon when the firefighter was injured. 

"The firefighter sustained a non-fire related injury involving a chainsaw," the agency wrote in a news release Tuesday. The exact details of the incident were not available.

Crews treated the firefighter at the scene and he was flown to North Colorado Medical Center for treatment of second degree burns.

He is listed in stable condition.

"The Forest Service is doing everything we can to take care of him and his family during this difficult time," the agency said. 

Forest Service officials continued to the prescribed burn Tuesday and plan an investigation.

"A review of this incident will take place to identify lessons that can be learned to improve firefighting safety in the future."

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