Emergency crew fighting KNP Complex Fire is seriously injured, transported by helicopter

A crew of emergency personnel dealing with the massive wildfire burning inside Sequoia National Forest was transferred via helicopter to area hospitals with serious injuries.

The Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Service confirmed late Thursday night that a tree fell around 3 p.m. and struck four people who’d been working on the KNP Complex Fire.

The patients were all brought to the nearest helispot and transported by air to area hospitals, including two individuals who were flown by helicopter to Fresno Community Regional Medical Center.

All four individuals are in stable condition, according to the Parks Service.

The KNP Complex Fire, which has been burning for nearly a month, was the size as 85,952 acres with just 11% containment as of Thursday evening.

National Park Service states the fire was ignited by a significant lightning storm on Sept. 9. The following day, two fires were spotted and eventually merged to form the KNP Complex Fire.

Multiple evacuation orders and warnings have since been issued by both the Fresno and Tulare county sheriff’s departments.

Air quality around the central San Joaquin Valley was deteriorated because of the KNP Complex Fire, along with the Windy Fire that’s burning east of Porterville.

The Windy Fire had grown to 97,514 acres but was 80% contained as of Thursday night. Full containment was expected by Oct. 14.

This story was originally published October 7, 2021 at 8:05 PM.