BEAVER, Utah (ABC4) — A Utah firefighter was severely injured while fighting to contain the Little Twist Fire near Beaver over the weekend.
The firefighter, identified through a GoFundMe as Daniel Burns, was reportedly struck by a falling tree 16 inches in diameter on Sunday, June 23.
According to Evan Hill, the GoFundMe organizer and Burns’ squad leader, a helicopter entered the area to drop water on the fire and help suppress the flames. The helicopter destabilized a tree, causing it to fall over and pin Burns to the ground. Hill said Burns survived being crushed by the tree but suffered bone fractures in his shoulder and face.
Burns was flown to a hospital in St. George for treatment.
“While we don’t fully know yet what recovery will look like for Dan, he has already received multiple surgeries and has a long road ahead of him,” Hill posted to social media.
According to the GoFundMe, Burns is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and in his first year with the Bonneville Hotshots – a Utah-based wildfire suppression crew for the Bureau of Land Management.
The GoFundMe for Burns has raised nearly $30,000 of its $40,000 goal within 24 hours of being created. Hill said hotshots earn a living fighting fires all season long and hopes the money can help Burns focus on recovery and not lost wages.
The Bonneville Hotshot crew is among the nearly 300 personnel fighting the Little Twist Fire. As of Monday, June 24, Utah Fire Info reported the fire had burned nearly 2,400 acres and was only 10% contained.
