Safety & Health

Falling Tree Seriously Injures Four CA Firefighters

Oct. 8, 2021

Four firefighters were airlifted with serious injuries after a tree fell and struck them while they were working the KNP Complex fire in Tulare County.

By Lauren Hernández

Source San Francisco Chronicle

A section of the KNP Complex burns on a hillside near the entrance to Sequoia National Park in Three Rivers, CA, on Sept. 15, 2021.

Oct. 8—Four firefighters working the KNP Complex blazing in Tulare County were struck by a falling tree on Thursday afternoon, authorities said.

At around 3 p.m., a radio transmission reported that a tree fell and struck four firefighters who were battling the lightning-sparked blaze, according to fire officials.

All four firefighters were taken to a nearby helispot and were airlifted to local hospitals for treatment on serious injuries.

They were in stable condition on Thursday night, officials said.

"We are grateful," authorities said in a statement.

The KNP Complex, which is comprised of the Colony Fire and the Paradise Fire, has burned 85,952 acres and was 11% contained on Thursday, fire officials said.

Lauren Hernández is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer.

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