2 ADDITIONAL FIREFIGHTERS INJURED AT CA WILDFIRE
July 22, 2018
Authorities say two more California firefighters have been injured while battling a stubborn and growing wildfire in steep terrain west of Yosemite National Park.
Fire spokesman Rich Eagan says the firefighters were hospitalized Friday after suffering back injuries. Both have been released and are expected to fully recover.
A wildfire that killed a California firefighter grew quickly and forced the closure of a key route into Yosemite National Park on Sunday. Officials say heavy fire equipment operator Braden Varney, 36, died early Saturday on the fire line. (July 16)
A total of four firefighters have been injured and one killed since the blaze broke out July 13.
Eagan says the fire is expanding to the north into inaccessible and rugged terrain within Sierra National Forest. It has burned about 42 square miles (110 square kilometers) of timber and is just 7 percent contained.
A memorial service for firefighter Braden Varney, who was killed while operating a bulldozer on the fire line, will be held Monday in Modesto.