A Forest Service firefighter who was injured Monday while working on a small fire west of Las Vegas in the Mt. Charleston Wilderness is in critical but stable condition at University Medical Center in Las Vegas.
Josh Evans, a seasonal firefighter, sustained second- and third-degree burns to his upper body when a flash fire occurred during a chainsaw-refueling operation.
When the incident occurred, the firefighter was hoisted off the mountain in a Las Vegas Metro Search and Rescue helicopter, transferred to a Mercy Air medevac helicopter, and taken to the University Medical Center trauma center. He is now in the hospital’s burn unit.
At the time of the injury, the firefighter was part of a crew involved in initial attack on the lightning-caused fire on the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area. After the injury, another fire crew replaced Evans’ crew, and the fire was subsequently contained.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Josh and his family in this unfortunate situation. We appreciate our selfless firefighters who willingly face ongoing challenges in the interest of protecting life and property,” said Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Supervisor Bill Dunkelberger.
