25-year-old wildfire fighter dies battling fire near Fort St. John, B.C.

A contract wildfire fighter died Friday while fighting the Donnie Creek wildfire near Fort St. John, the BC Wildfire Service confirms.

In a statement to CityNews, the BCWS says the member was a working crew member in the Prince George Fire Centre, and was injured while “responding to a wildfire.”

“The primary concern of the BC Wildfire Service at this time is the privacy of the individual’s family,” the service said.

The RCMP, WorkSafe BC, and the BC Wildfire Service are investigating, the service says.

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In an update, the Fort St. John RCMP says it learned the 25-year-old firefighter from Ontario was working in a remote area approximately 150 kms north of Fort St. John when the utility vehicle he was riding on, “rolled over a steep drop on a gravel road.”

Police say he was flown via helicopter to the Fort St. John Hospital, but died on the way.

“Our deepest sympathies go out to the family and friends of this young man, as well as to his fellow firefighters,” said the BC RCMP.

It comes amid an already deadly wildfire season.

Nineteen-year-old Devyn Gale died last month fighting a wildfire near Revelstoke after a tree fell on her.

Two days later, 25-year-old Adam Yeadon died in the Northwest Territories fighting a fire near Fort Liard.

And 41-year-old Helicopter pilot Ryan Gould died after his helicopter crashed during wildfire fighting efforts in Northern Alberta.

In a release, Premier David Eby says he is devastated to learn “we have lost another wildfire fighter.”

“My heart goes out to the family, friends, and colleagues of this front-line hero. On behalf of all British Columbians, we grieve this terrible news with you,” he said.

“This tragic news, coming so soon after the death of Devyn Gale, has shaken people throughout B.C. and is devastating for so many of those in the woods bravely fighting wildfires right now. Every worker expects and deserves to return home safely to family and friends.

“This wildfire season has been profoundly awful. We are so grateful to this firefighter and all of our firefighters for their daily heroism. This tragic news reminds us yet again of the extraordinary sacrifices they make to keep us safe,” he said.

Eby says more details about the firefighter’s death will be released as they become available.