VIDEO: An Idaho Department of Lands firefighter died Friday after being struck by a falling tree while working on a prescribed fire in northern Idaho. Isabella Oscarson, a seasonal employee from Minnesota, was assisting with the U.S. Forest Service’s Tinker Bugs prescribed fire in the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests. According to the Idaho Department of Lands, she was evacuated after being injured 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 said. “This is a tragedy that hits the employees at 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.”
Idaho Governor Brad Little ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff on Saturday, Sept. 27, until the day following her memorial. “Idahoans are grieving the loss of Isabella Oscarson, a promising young woman whose life was cut far too short while serving the people of Idaho as a wildland firefighter. Her loss is felt deeply by the firefighting community and beyond. Please join Teresa and me in praying for Isabelaโs loved ones and her Idaho Department of Lands team,โ Governor Little said.
