A Nez Perce County firefighter suffered burns over 65 percent of his body while battling a grass fire Monday.
According to KOZE.com, Jim Ralstin was among the firefighters who were called to the fire at the intersection of Webb Ridge Road and Flat Iron Road around 12:30 p.m.
"A firefighter started to attack the fire when the wind shifted unexpectedly which caused the fire to 'burn over' him," the department shared in a statement.
He was transported to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Lewiston, ID, before being flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for treatment of his burns.
Ralstin, 70, has been a firefighter for 15 years, his daughter, Crystal Morgan, told KOZE.com.
She told the television station that he “loves fighting fires and helping the community.”
"We are thankful the firefighter is alive; but he isn’t out of the woods yet," Nez Perce County Fire Chief Joshua Hall said. "He will have a long recovery after this incident."
"Volunteer firefighters are unpaid first responders who jump into action to protect others," Hall added. "This fireman risked his life to do a job he isn’t even paid for and I couldn’t be more thankful for his dedication to our community. He is in our thoughts and prayers and we ask the community to do the same."
The Idaho State Fire Marshal’s Office was called to investigate the fire
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