A firefighter who was badly burned while battling a wildfire in Okanogan County Sunday remains in serious condition at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
Okanogan County Emergency Management reports Assistant Chief Christian Johnson with Okanogan County Fire District #3 was injured while engaged on the Spring Coulee Fire south of Okanogan. As of Monday evening he was reported to be in a medically-induced coma. He has 2nd and 3rd degree burns over 50-60% of his body and his airway has been scored at 2 out of 4 for damage (4 being the worst). They are attempting to stabilize him so they can perform surgery for skin grafts.
The Spring Coulee Fire started around 4:00 pm just off B & O Road North between Fletcher Loop Road and Spring Coulee Road. The fire quickly spread to the north.
It was all hands on deck with Fire District #3 Omak, Okanogan and Malott, along with Fire District #7 Riverside, and Fire District #9 Conconully Rural responding with help from DNR ground and air resources.
The fire was contained in about an hour and a half after blackening nearly 142 acres. The fire’s cause was under investigation.
An account is being set up at a local Okanogan County bank to assist the injured firefighter’s family with whatever may be needed during their crisis.
