(UPDATE: Aug. 4 @ 1:00 pm) - The Jasper Wildfire Complex unified command has released a statement following the death of a firefighter on Saturday, sharing more details about the incident and the immediate first aid response.
After being struck by a falling tree, the injured firefighter’s crew provided immediate first aid and used a wheeled stretcher to transport the injured firefighter to the closest helipad.
The Calgary resident was flown to the Parks Canada Operations Compound in Jasper to meet with a STARS (Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service) air ambulance.
Unfortunately, despite the efforts of first responders, the firefighter was declared deceased shortly after the transfer to STARS.
“This incident highlights the dangerous nature of wildland firefighting and the hazards that crew members encounter every day,” reads the statement.
“Every single person responding to the Jasper Wildfire Complex is in mourning today for our friend and colleague. The wildland fire community is small and every loss deeply impacts us all.”
(Original story: Aug. 4 @ 9:45 am) -The Jasper Wildfire Complex has claimed the life of a young firefighter.
On Aug. 3, around 2:15 pm, the RCMP were notified that an Alberta Wildland fire employee had sustained a serious injury.
A 24-year-old male firefighter was fighting an active blaze northeast of Jasper when he was struck by a falling tree.
The Calgary resident was extracted from the scene by STARS (Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service) and declared deceased reads an RCMP release.
The firefighter was based out of the Rocky Mountain House Fire Base.
Politicians and numerous others have since taken to social media to post their condolences.
“I am devastated to learn today of the tragic loss of one of our valued Alberta Wildland firefighters, serving the province in the Jasper area,” wrote Todd Loewen, minister of forestry and parks of Alberta.
“My heart goes out to the family and friends of this front-line hero who had an unwavering commitment to safeguarding our communities. Our deepest condolences also go to his fire-line crew, the 700-person strong team working in Jasper, and the larger Alberta Wildfire community.”
