7 firefighters injured battling Bear Fire in Santa Cruz Mountains
Seven firefighters were injured while battling the Bear Fire that’s burning in the Santa Cruz Mountains, according to Cal Fire.
The fire started at about 10:30 p.m. Monday. Cal Fire officials have said access to the fire has been difficult on the ground because of the steep and rugged terrain. One firefighter with the Santa Clara Unit fell 50 feet down a steep embankment and is still at a hospital.
He’s been identified as Andy Goodson. He’s currently in the ICU at Stanford Medical Center where he’s receiving care for his injuries.
Cal Fire shared the image below on Facebook and said, ” Chief Pimlott, Chief Deputy Director Janet Barentson, and Northern Region Chief Scott Upton were able to briefly visit Santa Clara Unit Firefighter Andy Goodson in the ICU at Stanford Medical Center where he continues to receive excellent care for injuries he sustained while fighting the #BearFire.”
According to Cal Fire other firefighters quickly sprang into action and helped get Goodson back up the mountainside. In the process, those firefighters were also hurt by some of the falling rocks. Cal Fire said some of Andy’s fellow crew members sustained broken bones as they worked to get him up the steep mountainside. Despite their pain and the fire burning near them, firefighters were able to get Goodson to safety.
On October 18, KION learned two additional firefighters were hurt. One suffered second-degree burns to his hands and an inmate firefighter also suffered burns. Both were treated and released.
