Trending Topics

Firefighter dies from injuries suffered while battling Ore. wildfire

The Forest Service said the firefighter was injured in Mount Hood National Forest and later died at a hospital

US-NEWS-FIREFIGHTER-DIES-FIGHTING-MOUNT-HOOD-1-PO.jpg

The Narrows fire burns on a hillside above the Clackamas River, another fire in Mount Hood National Forest. Aug. 7, 2026.

Tarek Anthony/TNS

By Sophia Cossette
oregonlive.com

MOUNT HOOD, Ore. — A firefighter has died from injuries sustained while battling the Austin fire south of Mount Hood, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

The firefighter was hurt Wednesday while suppressing the blaze in the Mount Hood National Forest, officials said. They were given immediate medical treatment and taken to a nearby hospital, where they died from their injuries.

“We extend our sincere condolences to the fallen firefighter’s family, friends, and colleagues,” the agency said. “The U.S. Forest Service is working in coordination with the fallen firefighter’s family and company they were working with at the time.”

The incident will be investigated, according to the Forest Service. The agency has not released the firefighter’s identity.

The Austin fire has burned over 12,000 acres in Mount Hood National Forest southeast of Estacada since breaking out more than a month ago.

The blaze is currently 36% contained, and Level 3 (go now) evacuation orders have been issued for areas close to the fire in Clackamas County.

Trending
The Atlantic Asphalt tanker struck the American Heritage paddlewheel cruise boat on the Mississippi River, partially submerging it as all agencies respond to rescue efforts
A basement fire’s limited access and zero-visibility conditions called for coordinated interior and exterior attack lines
Mayor Zohran Mamdani ordered inspections at about 100 sites tied to companies involved in the adjacent construction project, as investigators work to determine what caused the collapse that killed eight, including two children, and injured 18
Templeton Fire Chief Tom Peterson’s $500,000 proposal would add firefighter-paramedics and restore three-person staffing after some ambulance calls exceed 20-minute response times, with the district board set to discuss funding options Dec. 15

—

©2026 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit oregonlive.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Company News
By addressing station air quality through multiple layers of protection, departments can support firefighter health and strengthen their overall cancer prevention efforts