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Wildland firefighter killed in California fire previously worked for Larimer County Sheriff's Office

Capt. Brian Hughes died in Ferguson Fire
Posted at 8:43 PM, Jul 30, 2018
and last updated 2018-07-30 22:43:53-04

DENVER – One of the firefighters killed Sunday fighting one of several massive wildfires burning in California worked for several years as a wildland firefighter with the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office.

Brian Hughes died after he was hit by a tree while working to set a back-burn on the Ferguson Fire’s east side, according to the National Park Service. Hughes was the captain of the Arrowhead Interagency Hotshots, based out of the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in California.

The Larimer County Sheriff’s Office says Hughes worked for the agency from 2004 to 2007 as a wildland firefighter, after which he joined his first hotshot crew. The sheriff’s office said he leaves behind a fiancée who was pregnant with their child.

“The LCSO firefighters remember Brian for his great attitude towards his job and his fellow firefighters, for his tremendous dedication to the fire service and for his thirst to always improve his knowledge and skills,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement Monday.

“We will be seeking ways not only to honor Brian’s service and sacrifice, but also to financially assist his fiancée and their yet unborn child,” the sheriff’s office added. “Godspeed to our lost brother.”

Arrowhead hotshot team was out of service as of Monday, while the fire was 57,041 acres in size and 30 percent contained, according to InciWeb. A statement posted to the Arrowhead Interagency Hotshots’ website points people to the Wildland Firefighter Foundation for financial support.