LAKE TAHOE: US Forest Service firefighter killed by falling tree

The U.S Forest Service released the identity of the firefighter who died while combatting the Sierra Fire near Echo Summit on Saturday.

The company says in a information launch that the firefighter was hit about 5:30 p.m. whereas working in a distant space between the Lake Tahoe Basin Administration Unit and Eldorado Nationwide Forest.

A second firefighter was injured in the accident and was treated and released from a hospital, the Forest Service said.

This is the second U.S. Forest Service firefighter to die in the line-of-duty in the last two weeks.

“Our hearts go out to the family, friends and fellow crewmembers of this fearless firefighter”, said Randy Moore, the Forest Service’s Pacific Southwest Regional Forester said.

The Sierra fire is one of several dozen lightning-caused fires that began in Northern California national forests on Saturday.

Ruhl, a Black Hills National Forest firefighter, was on temporary assignment when he was called to respond to the Frog Fire in the Modoc National Forest near Alturas, Calif.

Meanwhile, all evacuations have been lifted after cooler weather helped firefighters gain more ground against a Northern California wildfire that had forced hundreds of people from their homes.

The fire, which has charred more than 107 square miles since igniting July 29, was 70 percent contained Sunday and was expected to be fully contained by Thursday, Cal Fire said.

Yet Sunday night, another significant blaze was burning in the Jerusalem Valley area of Lake County.

As of Saturday morning, evacuated residents were allowed to return home, and all roads were reopened except for rural Reiff Road. The wildfire 100 miles north of San Francisco has destroyed 43 residences, 53 outbuildings and eight other structures.

About 2,400 firefighters were battling the fire.