Colorado-based firefighter dies battling fire in Oregon

A Colorad0-based wildland firefighter died Wednesday afternoon when he was struck by a tree while battling a fire in Oregon.

Collin Hagan, of Toivola, Michigan, was assigned to the Craig Interagency Hotshot Crew based out of Craig. He was fighting the Big Swamp fire in southwest Oregon at the time of his death.

Hotshot firefighters are among the nation’s most elite.

“It is a sad day in public safety,” Sheriff John Hanlin, of  Douglas County, Oregon, said in a written statement. “On behalf of the men and women of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, I extend my heartfelt sympathies to Firefighter Hagan’s family, friends, co-workers and all who knew this brave young man.”

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