A hotshot firefighter from Michigan was killed Wednesday while battling the Big Swamp Fire in Oregon.
The victim was identified as Collin Hagan, 27, of the Craig Interagency Hotshots assigned from Colorado.
On Wednesday, 9-1-1 dispatchers received information regarding a wildland firefighter that was critically injured after being struck by a tree. Umpqua Valley Ambulance and REACH Air Medical Services were dispatched to the scene, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office tweeted.
Despite lifesaving efforts by EMS personnel assigned to the fire, Hagan died of his injuries.
Once the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and Douglas County Medical Examiner’s Office were notified, Hagan’s body was flown from the Toketee Airstrip to the Roseburg Regional Airport by REACH Air Medical Services helicopter.
Firefighters from the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, Roseburg Fire Department and Douglas County Fire District #2 stood together to honor Hagan as his body arrived and was transferred to the care of a funeral service provider. A procession of fire apparatus escorted him to the funeral home, deputies said.
“It is a sad day in public safety. On behalf of the men and women of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, I extend my heartfelt sympathies to Firefighter Hagan’s family, friends, co-workers and all who knew this brave young man," Sheriff John Hanlin said in a statement.
The acting supervisor of Willamette National Forest also released a statement: “We are devastated by the tragic loss of a cherished firefighter working on our forest to save our communities and beloved recreational areas. Their family has been notified and we are working with our partners to ensure the crew is well taken care of."
The Big Swamp Fire is a roughly 117-acre blaze located 6.5 miles north of Lemolo Lake in Willamette National Forest. It ignited along with a cluster of others in the area last month during a spate of lightning strikes, according to forest service officials.
