Hunters chase, shoot firefighters battling U.S. wildfire
Digital Reporter
Monday, September 10, 2018, 3:32 PM - Two Australian firefighters working with the US Forest Service in Washington state were chased and shot at by hunters while battling a wildfire, the Sydney Morning Herald Reports.
According to the Herald, one of the victims used his phone to record a farewell message to his family because he was so concerned about the hunters' relentless pursuit.
(RELATED: Is Canada's extreme wildfire scenario the new norm?)
The incident took place on August 23 at the White Pass ski area. The two hunters involved have been arrested and charged by the FBI.
Daniel Barwick, an experienced firefighter who won a national medal for his efforts in a fire near Canberra, Australia last year, was one of the victims.
The other firefighter is unnamed.
Approximately 80 Australian firefighters are partnering with the US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management to battle wildfires in northern California and Oregon and Washington.
MANY WASHINGTON STATE WILDFIRES PREVENTABLE
According to the Washington Department of Nature Resources, 401 of the 1,211 wildfires seen this year in the state 401 wildfires caused by humans.
The number of human-caused fires could climb, with hundreds of fires still under investigation.
