A firefighter was injured Sunday evening, October 11, after falling approximately 75 feet while working on the Surgone Fire near Pecwan Creek in northern Humboldt County. The fall occurred shortly after 7 p.m., as darkness settled over the steep, rugged terrain where crews were battling the wildfire.
The firefighter was medevaced to Providence St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka, then transported to an out-of-area hospital later.
CAL FIRE Public Information Officer Jeremy Ward confirmed the incident today, after Redheaded Blackbelt contacted the agency seeking information about the firefighter’s condition.
As of Thursday, the firefighter remained under observation, but Ward said the outlook was encouraging.
“Things are looking positive, and we’ll know some more in the next few days, hopefully,” Ward said.
The circumstances that led to the fall have not been established. Ward, who is familiar with the area, described the terrain near Pecwan Creek as exceptionally steep and difficult to navigate, particularly for firefighters working on the ground.
Ward said he did not have details about how the injured firefighter was brought out of the difficult terrain to the helicopter landing zone.
The Surgone Fire began Sunday afternoon near State Highway 169. By that evening, CAL FIRE reported that the fire had grown to approximately 40 acres, with crews working through the night to build and strengthen containment lines in an area with limited access. The fire is now 64 acres and 60% contained.
Further information about the firefighter’s injuries and recovery was not immediately available.
