ORLEANS, Calif. — Renzo Reginato, a member of the Southern California El Cariso Hotshots, was critically injured while fighting the Orleans Complex Fire in the Northstate.
On July 18, 2025, at approximately 2 p.m., Renzo and two other firefighters were struck by a falling tree during operations near Orleans, the U.S. Forest Service said. The Orleans Complex Fire started in early July in the Six Rivers National Forest, burning in both Del Norte and Siskiyou counties.
Renzo sustained severe injuries, including a traumatic spinal injury and broken bones in his leg. He was airlifted to Mercy Medical Center in Redding, where he underwent emergency surgeries. He remained hospitalized in Redding and was expected to be transferred to Craig Hospital in Denver, Colorado, a leading rehabilitation center for spinal injuries.
Renzo’s sister-in-law, Morgan Reginato, started a GoFundMe campaign to support the family with costs related to travel, lodging, meals, and other needs during his recovery. The El Cariso Hotshots, based in Southern California, and the U.S. Hotshots Association shared the fundraiser widely on social media.
A crewmember involved described the incident, saying, “We were cutting line and without warning, I heard someone yell, ‘TREE!’ and before I could react, I was hit in the back and rolled 5 to 10 feet downhill,” the GoFundMe said.
To support Renzo and his family, visit the GoFundMe page here. The U.S. Forest Service is investigating the incident.
