Firefighter on White Rock Lake wildfire rushed to hospital after 100 foot fall

A firefighter is in stable condition in Kelowna General Hospital after a fall this morning while on duty.

B.C. Emergency Health Services spokesperson Shannon Miller said a call was received at around 10:51 a.m. today, Aug. 26, about a firefighter who reportedly fell 100 feet.

B.C. Wildfire Service airlifted the firefighter to the Vernon airport on Tronson Road where they were met by two ambulance paramedic crews, Miller said.

"The advanced life support paramedics transported the patient in serious condition to hospital in Kelowna," Miller said.

Wildfire service information officer Hannah Swift said the firefighter didn't sustain any substantial injuries.

"They were working along a steep section on a control line and they lost their footing and took a tumble downhill. Medical aid was on site right away and were able to transport the individual," Swift said.

The crew was doing general patrols and mop up in the area of the White Rock Lake wildfire.

The wildfire west of Vernon is 82,000 hectares in size and is out of control.

READ MORE: Large prescribed burn on White Rock Lake wildfire successful

— This story was updated at 3:01 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021 to include additional details on the status of the firefighter from the B.C. Wildfire Service.

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