JASPER – A firefighter was killed Saturday (Aug. 3) from a falling tree while fighting the out-of-control wildfire in Jasper National Park.
Police said a 24-year-old man from Calgary sustained serious injuries while working in the northeast of Jasper this afternoon. He was rushed to hospital by STARS air ambulance and has been declared deceased.
The incident took place at about 2 p.m., according to a Facebook post on Jasper National Park's page.
"Jasper National Park’s visitor safety specialists, who are providing technical rescue services to the incident responded and together with the Alberta Wildfire unit crew on scene, used a wheeled stretcher to transport the injured firefighter to the nearest helipad. They were flown to the Parks Canada operations compound in Jasper where STARS air ambulance was waiting," stated the post.
"Tragically, despite efforts of the first responders and STARS air ambulance team specialists, the injured firefighter did not survive and was pronounced deceased shortly after transfer to STARS."
The man was an Alberta Wildland Fire employee and based out of Rocky Mountain House fire base.
Occupational Health and Safety has been notified and will be investigating.
"RCMP wish to express our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and co-workers of the deceased," an Alberta RCMP statement said.
The story will be updated when more information is available.
STAR-5 (Grande Prairie) has been dispatched for a scene call emergency in the Jasper, AB area
— STARS (@STARSambulance) August 3, 2024
