Photo courtesy of Brad Torchia
(KMJ) – A second Valley Firefighter is killed battling the massive Ferguson Fire still burning in Mariposa County, near Yosemite National Park.
33-year old Captain Brian Hughes was killed on the fire lines early Sunday morning.
He was Captain of the Arrowhead Interagency Hotshots.
At the time, Hughes and his crew were engaged in a tactical firing operation on the east side of the Ferguson Fire.
They were operating in an area with a large amount of tree mortality.
Hughes was struck by a tree. He was treated on scene, but passed away before he could be transported to a hospital.
Hughes was originally from Hilo, Hawai`i, and has been with the Arrowhead Interagency Hotshots for four years.
He was on a two week assignment with the Ferguson fire when he died.
The parks ask that public and media respect the other crew members’ privacy during this tragic time.
Here is the news release put out by the National Parks Service following his death:
This (Sunday) morning, park officials were informed that a firefighter from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks was killed in the line of duty on the Ferguson Fire in Mariposa County.
The fatal incident occurred earlier this morning. At the time, the firefighter (Captain Hughes) and his crew were engaged in a tactical firing operation on the east side of the Ferguson Fire. They were operating in an area with a large amount of tree mortality. Hughes was struck by a tree and treated on scene, but he passed away before he could be transported to a hospital.
Speaking during a new conference held on Monday morning to honor Captain Hughes, Superintendent Woody Smeck (above) said they are getting a web site put together where people can send their condolences.
Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. issued the following statement Monday regarding the death of National Park Service Fire Captain Brian Hughes, who passed away while working on the Ferguson Fire in Mariposa County:
“Anne and I are deeply saddened to hear about Captain Hughes’ death and extend our condolences to his family, loved ones and fellow firefighters, who are still out in the field protecting lives and property. We are incredibly grateful for Captain Hughes’ service to our state and nation.”
Hughes, 33, of Squaw Valley, died Sunday when he was struck by a tree while fighting the Ferguson Fire. Hughes was a Fire Captain of the Arrowhead Interagency Hotshots out of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.
In honor of Captain Hughes, Capitol flags will be flown at half-staff.
