(photo courtesy: Cal Fire Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit )
(KMJ) – Cal Fire and the State Department of Forestry have yet to remove the body of an equipment operator killed while battling a wild fire now burning in Mariposa County.
Braden Varney, a 10-year veteran with the Cal Fire Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit was killed Saturday when the bulldozer he was operating rolled over in steep terrain. He is survived by his wife and two young children.
Cal Fire says that same terrain and smoke from the Ferguson Fire has hampered efforts to recover his body.
This blaze has now shut down Highway 140 about two miles East of Midpines all the way to the Cedar Lodge area and cannot be used to access Yosemite National Park. The road will remain closed until further notice.
The Ferguson fire has now charred more than 9,200 acres with 2% containment.
(photo courtesy: U.S. Forest Service – Sierra National Forest)
