A young wildland firefighter died Monday after he was removed from life support.
Eric Aarseth, who worked as a contract firefighter with Oregon-based Miller Timber Services, was found unconscious by roommates on Aug. 28 after returning from a fire, according to KOMONews.com.
According to his parents, the 20-year-old from Eugene developed pneumonia which then became septic at a Springfield hospital.
"He thought he was okay, and kids at that age tend to be tougher," Eric's step-mother, Cheryl Aarseth, told the television station. "They don't want to admit they're sick, they don't want to go to the doctor."
His parents decided to remove him from life support, saying that he suffered irreversible brain damage.
KATU.com reported that Aarseth died Monday.
"He was so giving and always wanted to help people," Eric's father, Chris Aarseth, told the television station. "That's the biggest thing. He wanted to help people however he could."
Aarseth spent his 20th birthday on the fire line, Miller Timber Service spokesperson Kelli Matthew said. He battled the Garner Complex Fire in Oregon before responding to the Horns Mountain Fire in Washington.
"He may not have died out there in the fire, he's still a hero," said Cheryl Aarseth. "He lived the way he wanted to live and he was very determined to do what he wanted to do and help people no matter what the cost was."
His parents said Eric was an organ donor and his parents want his legacy to live on.
