Update at 12:06 p.m. MT, June 8, 2011: the Texas firefighter has been identified as a member of a BLM hot shot crew based out of Utah.
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FirefighterCloseCalls sent out this information Thursday night, June 7:
TEXAS FIREFIGHTER DIES IN THE LINE OF DUTY-WILDLAND FIRE
It is with deep regret that we advise you that a Firefighter (who was airlifted this afternoon from the 337 Fire northwest of Mineral Wells TX) has now died in the Line of Duty.
The 25-year-old was an out-of-state Firefighter working for the Texas Forest Service. Initial reports are that he was overcome by heat, leading to cardiac arrest and he died at the hospital at 1900 hours this evening.
The fire began Monday west of State Highway 337 burning 1,200 acres and forcing the evacuation of people from 20 homes in the Coronado’s Camp and Devil’s Hollow areas. The fire is reported to be 50% contained. More details to follow, as always our most sincere condolences.
TWO OKLAHOMA FIREFIGHTERS & THEIR APPARATUS BURNED
In Oklahoma, 2 Pocasset Firefighters were injured and the fire apparatus in which they were working was lost in a grass fire north of Chickasha this afternoon. The Firefighters were operating at a fire off of US 81 north of Chickasha when their truck was overtaken by the fire. The Firefighters were both taken to Grady Memorial Hospital for treatment of 2nd- and 3rd-degree burns. The injuries are serious but reported to not be life threatening. One of the injured Firefighters, Christie Rainey, is also the mayor of Pocasset. We wish them a quick recovery.
Our sincerest condolences to the families and co-workers of the firefighters.
