Hilo native dies fighting California wildfire

A Hilo native and federal firefighter died Sunday while battling the Ferguson Fire in the Sierra National Forest in California.

According to Sierra News Online, the fallen firefighter was identified as 33-year-old Brian Hughes of Squaw Valley, Calif., originally of Hilo.

Hughes was captain of the Arrowhead Interagency Hot Shots and had been with the unit for four years, according to the National Park Service Fire Information Office.

Hughes, the second firefighter fatality in the Ferguson Fire, was reportedly struck by a falling tree, and died at the scene before he could be taken to a hospital.