Two Navajo Interagency Hotshot Crew members were injured Aug. 14 while conducting fire suppression activities on the Rattlesnake Creek Fire, burning near Pollock, Idaho, in the Nez Perce Clearwater National Forest.
The firefighters were removed from the fire line and transported to a hospital in McCall, Idaho. One firefighter was released to go home while the other was taken to a burn facility in Salt Lake City for additional care.
“The bravery of our Navajo Interagency Hotshot Crew impacts communities far beyond the Navajo Nation. In this instance, the hotshot crew was fighting a fire in Idaho when two members were injured,” President Russell Begaye said. “Our prayers go out to both firefighters. To the firefighter who sustained burn injuries, we pray for a speedy recovery.”
The Navajo Interagency Hotshot Crew is based out of Fort Defiance. It is an experienced hand crew trained to work in rugged terrain. Crew members’ preparation and planning, along with having qualified Incident Management Team medical personnel on scene, resulted in a well implemented extraction.
President Begaye extends his gratitude to the Navajo Interagency Hotshot Crew for its exemplary service in times of fire emergency.
