Firefighter injured while fighting Coffee Can Saddle Fire in Idaho’s Salmon River Ranger District

A U.S. Forest Service firefighter was injured while fighting a wildfire in Idaho's Salmon River Ranger District. (Getty Images)

A U.S. Forest Service firefighter was seriously injured while fighting a wildfire in Idaho’s Salmon River Ranger District, according to a press release from Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest officials.

The incident happened at 9 p.m. Saturday during initial attack operations on the Coffee Can Saddle Fire, the press release said. The firefighter, who was identified as 26-year-old Justin “Riley” Shaw, was struck by a tree.

Shaw, an assistant crew foreman for the Salmon River Ranger District, is in critical condition as of late Monday afternoon. According to a press release, Shaw was initially transported via Life Flight to St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center in Lewiston before being transported to Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane.

According to the GoFundMe started by Shaw’s family, the firefighter suffered a traumatic brain injury during the accident and is in the hospital’s intensive care unit. The GoFundMe has raised more than $47,300 from more than 540 donations as of Tuesday morning.

“We are asking for any donations that can go towards taking the financial stress off his family while they are traveling back and forth from Boise, Idaho, to Spokane, Washington, to be with Riley for as long as he is in the hospital, which will be months,” the online fundraiser said. “We are also asking for prayers for Riley. Any and all help is greatly appreciated.”

“The quick actions of all involved, including the firefighters on the incident, dispatch, local medical responders, and Life Flight personnel, helped ensure Justin is receiving the best care possible,” said Acting Forest Supervisor Molly Ryan in the press release. “We are so thankful to everyone who helped.”

“Justin and his family have the full support of the wildland firefighting community and our Forest Service staff,” Ryan continued.

More information on the condition of the firefighter will be released as it becomes available, according to the release.

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