By FireRescue1 Staff
OKANOGAN, Wash. —An Okanogan County Fire District firefighter succumbed to his injuries sustained while battling a brush fire last month.
Assistant Fire Chief for Okanogan County Fire District 3 Christian Johnson, 55, was placed in a medically-induced coma after he suffered second- and third-degree burns on more than 50% of his body after flames from the Spring Coulee Fire overtook him on Sept. 1, KREM reported.
Emergency crews airlifted him to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
“The family is grateful for the loving care Christian received from Harborview Medical Center staff, and the unwavering support they received from the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters Burn Foundation,” an emergency management statement read. “Christian’s family thanks all for the prayers and support during this most difficult time.”
Johnson retired from the U.S. Army after 22 years of service, which included an 18-month deployment to Iraq with the Washington National Guard. He also served as a volunteer with the Okanogan Fire Department for 20 years.
A GoFundMe page was set up to assist the family with medical costs. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to the Washington State Council of Firefighters’ Burn Foundation, Washington Wildland Fire Foundation or the Red Cross.