Dave Orrick, Bob Timmons

Star Tribune

(TNS)

A crew member who died while assigned to battle the wildfires around the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness has been identified by the Alaska fire company he worked for.

Leslie R. Washington, of Noorvik, Alaska, died Tuesday while working with a fire crew on the Bear Trap Fire near Ely, according to a social media posting by Scorched Earth Services (S.E.S.), a wildland firefighting company based out of Huslia, Alaska. The U.S. Forest Service, which has not officially identified Washington, announced Tuesday a responder died following a “medical emergency.”

“One of the worst fears in the wildland fire community became a reality for us, the loss of life of a crewmember,” S.E.S. said in its post.

The company said that it has about 20 members and staff currently in Ely.

“These next few days we will do our best to honor Leslie and bring him back home to Noorvik in a good way,” the company said. “Thank you all for your understanding in this heartbreaking time.”

Few details were available Wednesday surrounding what appears to be the first fatality associated with the forest fires that have been burning since early July.

WDIO-TV in Duluth reported that the medical incident was not related to firefighting activities.

According to a statement from the Forest Service, the emergency, which was not described, occurred at 10:40 a.m.

The statement continued: “After arriving at the hospital, the patient subsequently passed away. When additional information is available and confirmed, an update will be provided.

“Thank you for your patience and understanding. Our deepest condolences go out to the family and fellow firefighting community.”

On Tuesday, fire officials reported 750 personnel overall were working five large wildfires in the Superior National Forest.

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