RIP

Falling tree fatally injures Alberta firefighter battling Jasper-area wildfire

CBC
Sat, 3 August 2024 


Smoke can be seen rising from a wildfire near Jasper, Alta., on Saturday. (Jasper National Park/Facebook - image credit)


A 24-year-old Calgary man is dead after being injured by a falling tree while fighting a wildfire northeast of Jasper, Alta.

According to the Jasper Wildfire Complex Unified Command, which is comprised of members of both Parks Canada and the municipality of Jasper, it happened around 2 p.m. MT Saturday.

The firefighter's crew provided first aid before Jasper National Park visitor safety specialists and the Alberta Wildfire unit used a wheeled stretcher to bring the 24-year-old firefighter to the nearest helipad, the unified command group said in a statement.

From there, he was flown to the Parks Canada operations compound in Jasper, where STARS air ambulance was waiting.

"Tragically, despite efforts of the first responders and STARS air ambulance team specialists, the injured firefighter did not survive and was pronounced deceased shortly after transfer to STARS," officials said.

The man — whom RCMP say was part of the Rocky Mountain House Fire Base — was among hundreds of firefighters who are in Alberta to fight the massive wildfires affecting the province.

"RCMP wish to express our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and co-workers of the deceased," said Alberta RCMP in a release issued late on Saturday night.

Crews with Alberta Wildfire held a procession for the 24-year-old Sunday morning, lining up on either side of the road in the Jasper area to pay their respects as emergency vehicles drove by.

"Today we are mourning the loss of one of our own. An Alberta Wildfire crew member was fatally injured yesterday while responding to the wildfire in Jasper. This morning we stood heartbroken with our partners as a procession passed by," the provincial agency said in a social media post.

Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services Mike Ellis said in a statement that the bus tours that were supposed to take place Sunday for Jasper residents to see the destruction in the town have been postponed by 24 hours "out of respect for the family, crew and all those impacted by this tragedy."

He said residents who had signed up for the tours were notified of the cancellation Saturday night.

"We are working to ensure supports are available for all those working in Jasper during this incredibly difficult time," Ellis said.

In a statement to CBC News, Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek expressed her sorrow over the firefighter's death.

"My heart is with the family and friends of the wildland firefighter who tragically lost his life while serving community in the Jasper wildfire. Calgarians grieve with those in the Rocky Mountain House Fire Base," she said.

Alberta's Forestry and Parks Minister Todd Loewen said in a social media post on X that he was devastated by the news.


The province says more than 700 firefighters are battling wildfires in Alberta, including more than 100 firefighters and support staff from Ontario, Quebec, PEI, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

The province says more than 700 firefighters are battling wildfires near Jasper, including more than 100 firefighters and support staff from Ontario, Quebec, P.E.I., New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. (@AlbertaWildfire/X)

"My heart goes out to the family and friends of this front-line hero who had a unwavering commitment to safeguarding our communities," he said.

"Our deepest condolences also go to his fire-line crew, the 700-person strong team working in Jasper and the larger Alberta Wildfire community. I know all of you have been deeply impacted by this loss. On behalf of all Albertans, we grieve this terrible news with you."

"We are profoundly saddened by the tragic loss of an Alberta wildland firefighter who gave their life today to protect our community. This dedicated person travelled to Jasper to help us, to help protect our town and our home," Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland said in a statement.

"Our hearts ache for their family, their loved ones and their comrades," Ireland said.

Premier Danielle Smith said on X Sunday morning she is deeply saddened about the death of the 24-year-old.

"Our hearts go out to their family and friends in this incredibly difficult time. We are forever grateful for the courageous wildland firefighters who risk their lives every day to protect others," she said.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also released a statement about the firefighter's death.

"Heartbroken by the news that a firefighter has lost his life while battling the wildfires in Jasper. He served Albertans with unwavering bravery, and his loss is deeply felt," he said.

"I'm keeping his family, friends, and his fellow firefighters in my thoughts."

RCMP say Alberta's Occupational Health and Safety is investigating the death.

Falling trees can be extremely dangerous when battling against wildfires. It's been a year since Devyn Gale was killed by a cedar tree that fell on the 19-year-old while she was fighting a wildfire outside of Revelstoke, B.C.

A dangerous tree is brought down in the Municipality of Jasper on Wednesday, July 31, 2024.

A dangerous tree is brought down in the Municipality of Jasper on Wednesday. (Jasper National Park/Facebook)

The Jasper unified command statement said Saturday's incident highlights the dangerous nature of wildland firefighting and the hazards that crew members encounter every day.

"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.

"We are eternally grateful for the personal sacrifices first responders offer to protect Canadians and their communities. Our hearts are with their family and friends in this difficult time."

Firefighter, 24, is first victim of huge west Canada blaze

AFP
Sun, 4 August 2024 

This August 3 2024 image obtained from the Jasper National Park in Canada, shows fire activity near Lake Edith (Handout)


A 24-year-old firefighter has died while battling a vast and still uncontrolled wildfire in western Canada, the federal police announced Sunday.

The man, whose name was not immediately released, became the first casualty of a huge fire near the beloved tourist town of Jasper in Alberta province. Last year's historically bad fire season claimed eight lives.

The victim, a Calgary native, suffered a serious injury Saturday afternoon when struck by a falling tree "while fighting an active fire northeast of Jasper," said a statement from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

He was transported, first by helicopter and then by air ambulance, to a hospital but was later declared dead, said Parks Canada, the federal agency that manages the national parks.

"Every single person responding to the Jasper Wildfire Complex is in mourning today for our friend and colleague," said a joint statement from Parks Canada and the town of Jasper posted on Facebook.

"The wildland fire community is small and every loss deeply impacts us all."

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he was "heartbroken" by the loss, adding on social media platform X that "he served Albertans with unwavering bravery, and his loss is deeply felt."

Several firefighting units paid homage to their fallen comrade Sunday morning in a vigil in the nearby town of Hinton.

Provincial authorities said they were investigating the circumstances surrounding the death.

Some 700 firefighters, including several from other countries, are now fighting the vast wildfire, which has burned some 34,000 hectares (84,000 acres).

Ignited two weeks ago by lightning in a region enduring severe drought, the fire destroyed a substantial part of the tourist city of Jasper, known as the jewel of a naturally beautiful region that draws 2.5 million tourists a year.

Still out of control, it is the largest fire to hit Jasper National Park in 100 years -- and it could burn for months more, the authorities say.

On Friday, the highway serving the city of Jasper was partly reopened to traffic, and authorities allowed evacuated residents traveling on chartered buses to come inspect their homes, conditions permitting.

No date has been announced for a full return to the city.

Last year saw a catastrophic number of wildfires in Canada, with 15 million hectares burned and more than 200,000 people evacuated.

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