Forest Service firefighter dies after being struck by tree near Lake Tahoe
Submitted by editor on Sat, 08/08/2015 - 11:10pm
UPDATE: A 21-year-old firefighter from Shingle Springs, Calif., died Saturday afternoon as a result of injuries received while suppressing a wildfire on the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit in Northern California.
Michael Hallenbeck was a member of Organized Crew 36 on the LTBMU. Go here for the full story.
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The U.S. Forest Service reports a wild land firefighter died Saturday night after being struck by tree in a remote area in the Lake Tahoe area. The following is from Forest Service spokesman Stanton Florea:
"It is with great sorrow we must confirm the loss of a U.S. Forest Service wildland firefighter this evening in the Lake Tahoe area. The fire crew member succumbed to injuries suffered when struck by a tree during initial firefighting efforts on a new wildfire named the “Sierra” Fire. The incident occurred at approximately 5:30pm in a remote area between the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit and the Eldorado National Forest."
A second firefighter who was also injured in the incident has been treated and released from a local hospital.
Additional information will be forthcoming as details become available.
The Sierra Fire started Saturday in rugged terrain south of Echo Summit, near South Lake Tahoe, Calif. The lightning caused fire is approximately one-tenth of an acre and was 75 percent contained as of Sunday. The U.S. Forest Service, CAL FIRE and the Nevada Division of Forestry responded and are on scene.
