GRANGEVILLE, Idaho — A seasonal Idaho Department of Lands firefighter died on Sept. 26, after being struck by a falling tree while assisting on a U.S. Forest Service prescribed burn in northern Idaho, officials said.
KTVB reported the firefighter, identified as Isabella Oscarson of Minnesota, was injured on the Tinker Bugs prescribed fire in the Nez Perce–Clearwater National Forests, evacuated, and flown to Grangeville, where she later died.
“IDL extends its deepest sympathies to Isabella’s family and friends,” Idaho Department of Lands Director Dustin Miller posted on social media. “This is a tragedy that hits the employees at the Idaho Department of Lands and the broader wildland fire community extremely hard. We are heartbroken and doing everything we can to support her family and our staff during this difficult time.”
Gov. Brad Little ordered flags at half-staff until the day after her memorial, noting that Idaho is mourning the loss of wildland firefighter Isabella Oscarson and extending condolences to her family and the Idaho Department of Lands team.
