Calgary firefighter killed by falling tree battling Jasper wildfire

Alberta Wildfire members line the road to pay their respects to their colleague, Morgan Kitchen, a 24-year-old Calgary man who was killed by a falling tree northeast of Jasper on Saturday. (Photo: X@AlbertaWildfire)

A Calgary man died Saturday while fighting an active fire northeast of Jasper.

At around 2:15 p.m., Alberta RCMP received a report of a serious injury sustained by an Alberta Wildland Fire employee from a falling tree.

The firefighter's crew provided immediate first aid and the 24-year-old was transported on a wheeled stretcher to the closest helipad.

There, he was flown to the Parks Canada Operations Compound in Jasper, where he was transferred to STARS Air Ambulance, but he was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.

The man was a Calgary resident based out of the Rocky Mountain House Fire Base.

"This incident highlights the dangerous nature of wildland firefighting and the hazards that crew members encounter every day," a statement from the Jasper Wildfire Complex unified command said Sunday.

"Every single person responding to the Jasper Wildfire Complex is in mourning today for our friend and colleague," it continued. "The wildland fire community is small and every loss deeply impacts us all.

"We are eternally grateful for the personal sacrifices first responders offer to protect Canadians and their communities," it added. "Our hearts are with their family and friends in this difficult time."

At a Sunday afternoon wildfire update, Alberta forestry and parks minister Todd Loewen expressed his sorrow.

"Personally, as father and grandfather, the loss of a young firefighter is hard to bear,"  Loewen said.

"I know that I speak unanimously for my caucus colleagues in sending heartfelt sympathies to this courageous young man's family and friends. I want to recognize his unwavering commitment to protecting our communities. This will never be forgotten."

Alberta Wildfire statement

Alberta Wildfire posted its condolences on X Sunday morning.

"Today we are mourning the loss of one of our own," they posted. "An Alberta Wildfire crew member was fatally injured yesterday while responding to the wildfire in Jasper. This morning we stood heartbroken with our partners as a procession passed by."

Tours of damage postponed

Because of the firefighter's death, tours of wildfire damage in the Jasper townsite on Sunday were postponed.

"Alberta’s government is deeply saddened," a spokesperson told CTV News Edmonton on Sunday.

"Out of respect for the family, crew and all those impacted by this tragedy, the bus tours that were to take place today for Jasper residents are being postponed by 24 hours."

The spokesperson said everyone who signed up for a tour should have been notified Saturday night and promised the government would contact them directly with any other information.

At Sunday's wildfire update, it was announced that tours would take place Monday.

Jasper residents and business owners have not yet seen the damage caused by a wildfire that breached the town on July 24 and burned down about 30 per cent of its buildings.

Those whose properties sustained damage are being give priority access on the tours.

A helicopter buckets water onto smouldering fires outside of Jasper, Alta., on Friday July 26, 2024. Wildfires encroaching into the townsite of Jasper forced an evacuation of the national park and have destroyed over 300 of the town's approximately 1100 structures, mainly impacting residential areas. (Amber Bracken / The Canadian Press)

Condolences

Prime Minister Trudeau also expressed his condolences Sunday, saying he was "heartbroken by the news that a firefighter has lost his life while battling the wildfires in Jasper. He served Albertans with unwavering bravery, and his loss is deeply felt."

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith posted her condolences on social media Sunday morning as well, as did forestry and parks minister Todd Loewen and public safety and emergency services minister Mike Ellis.