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Bitterroot
National Forest 1801
N. 1st Street, Hamilton, MT 59840
(406) 363-7100 NEWS RELEASE__________________________________________________________________________________________ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Dixie Dies
Public Affairs Officer(406) 363-7100 “Firefighter Fatality” Hamilton, Montana, September 3, 2001 (3:30pm)— At 10:00 this morning a firefighter was struck by a falling snag and fatally injured on the Labor Fire. The name of the firefighter will be released after notification of relatives. “This is a terrible tragedy,” said Spike Thompson, Deputy Forest Supervisor. “The safety of our firefighters is always our first priority.” The cause of the Labor fire has not been determined. It is located in the area of the ski slopes of Lost Trail Ski Resort near the Montana/Idaho border. The fire is estimated between 3-5 acres. This fire was reported after midnight last night and initial attack crews responded early this morning. A helicopter is currently assisting a 20-person crew with their firefighting efforts with water bucket drops. All firefighters on duty at the time of the accident have been replaced with another firefighting crew. The Ravalli County Sheriff Coroner and the Forest Service are coordinating the investigation of the accident. All calls
should be directed to (406) 375-2609. ## |
