By Christina Lords, Idaho Capital Sun
August 12, 2024
A U.S. Forest Service firefighter was 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 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.
“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 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.
A Go Fund Me account has been established to help offset expenses.
“Justin ‘Riley’ Shaw – a 26-year-old dedicated wildland firefighter and proud Christian born and raised in Idaho, was unfortunately in a life-altering accident on 8/10/24 when he was arriving at the scene of a fire in central
Idaho and had a tree fall on him,” they wrote. “He is currently suffering from a traumatic brain injury in the ICU and will continue to be there for the foreseeable future. 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. We are also asking for prayers for Riley. Any and all help is greatly appreciated.”