August 14, 2012 in City

Firefighter killed in Idaho

Moscow woman hit by falling tree
Associated Press
 

Veseth
(Full-size photo)

Life-saving shelter

 GRANTS PASS, Ore . – A firefighter on the massive Holloway range fire in southeastern Oregon was forced to crawl inside her emergency fire shelter in an area overrun by swirling winds filled with fire, fire information officers said Monday.

 The woman was treated Sunday evening at a Nevada hospital for minor burns to a leg and forearm and minor smoke inhalation. Her name and home base were not released.

BOISE – A 20-year-old U.S. Forest Service firefighter died after she was struck by a falling tree in north-central Idaho, highlighting the dangerous job crews face as at least a dozen blazes continue to burn across the state.

Anne Veseth, of Moscow, Idaho, died Sunday while helping extinguish the 43-acre Steep Corner fire near Orofino. She was killed when a tree fell and crashed into another tree, causing it to topple, too.

“The Forest Service is devastated by the loss of one of our own,” said Forest Supervisor Rick Brazell, adding that his agency is investigating the fatal incident. “We ask the public to join us in keeping the family in their thoughts and prayers.”

This was Veseth’s second season as a firefighter. Her older brother is also a wildland firefighter in Idaho.

Veseth was a graduate of Moscow High School and a student at Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, where she studied auto mechanics.

Two years ago, she was featured in a Lewiston Tribune story when she graduated from high school. In the article, Veseth spoke of her father’s death in 2003 following an accident, describing how that family tragedy changed her life.

“It made me appreciate who I have in my life, while I have them,” Veseth told the newspaper in June 2010. “It made me realize life is short.”

Her family asked for privacy. A memorial service is set for Saturday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, in Moscow.

“The family appreciates all the prayers and concern,” said a statement provided to the media.

© Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Get stories like this in a free daily email

Recent stories in City

Please keep it civil. Don't post comments that are obscene, defamatory, threatening, off-topic, an infringement of copyright or an invasion of privacy. Read our forum standards and community guidelines.

You must be logged in to post comments. Please log in here or click the comment box below for options.

comments powered by Disqus