Oregon's Big Swamp Fire Kills a Firefighter While Battling the Blaze

Oregon's Big Swamp Fire has claimed the life of a firefighter who was battling the wildfire.

The U.S. Forest Service said on Thursday that the firefighter who died while responding to the blaze was Collin Hagan from Craig Interagency hotshots, per NBC News.

Hagan was a wildland firefighter based in Colorado.

Colorado Firefighter Dies After Responding to Oregon's Big Swamp Fire

The Sacramento Bee reported that Hagan, who is originally from Michigan, was critically hurt around 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday after he was hit by a falling tree in the Big Swamp Fire. The 27-year-old Colorado firefighter died after he succumbed to the injuries he sustained from the incident.

Several officials extended their sympathies in connection to the death of the hotshot firefighter.

"We are devastated by the tragic loss of a cherished firefighter working on our forest to save our communities and beloved recreational areas," Willamette National Forest's Acting Forest Supervisor Duane Bishop said in a statement.

Sheriff John Hanlin from Douglas Sheriff's Office said Hagan's death was a sad day in public safety.

"I extend my heartfelt sympathies to Firefighter Hagan's family, friends, co-workers, and all who knew this brave young man," Hanlin said.

Fox 13 reported that several agency members, including those from the Bureau of Land Management, United States Forest Service, and Roseburg Fire Department, gathered at the Roseburg Regional Airport to honor the firefighter who died while responding to the Big Swamp Fire.

The firefighters then did an honor escort to the funeral home.

Oregon's Big Swamp Fire

Incident Information System Inciweb noted that the Big Swamp Fire in Oregon erupted on August 1 at around 5:30 in the afternoon.

The said wildfire occurred 6.5 miles north of Lemolo Lake and was caused by a lightning.

Big Swamp Fire is reportedly fueled by several materials, including closed timber litter, medium logging slash, and fuels ranging from open hemlock stands in upper elevations to mixed conifer stands with the brush.

As of Thursday, the Big Swamp Fire charred around 119 acres of land and the size reached the southeast of Oakridge. The said town is known to house around 3,200 people. Furthermore, the blaze is currently 0% contained.

The United States Forest Service prohibited access to several Forest Service Roads and trails in Willamette National Forest on Thursday, according to KEZI 9. The move was done to protect the public and allow firefighters to focus on containing the Big Swamp Fire.

Authorities underscored that anyone found to be in the closed areas will be fined up to $5,000.

The USFS noted that the roads will stay closed until October 1. Inciweb estimated that Oregon's Big Swamp Fire will be completely contained on October 30.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written By: Joshua Summers

WATCH: Colorado Wildland Firefighter From Craig Hotshot Crew Killed While Battling Big Swamp Fire in Oregon - From CBS Colorado