A firefighter in Desoto Parish in Louisiana was seriously injured during a tree felling operation on a 100-acre wildfire Wednesday afternoon. Haden Ezernack, 21, suffered a head injury when a large hardwood tree, estimated to be 50 to 75 feet tall, fell on him. Firefighters decided to cut the tree down because it was burning and they were worried that embers from it would jump a river and spread the fire into Texas, which had happened before on another fire. The tree, which fell in an expected direction, also fell onto the Fire Chief’s car, according to one report.
Mr. Ezernack was unconscious for a while after the accident, and was airlifted to Louisiana State University Hospital where he was admitted to intensive care. He is expected to recover. He has worked for the DeSoto Fire District since Sept. 1, 2009.
