MARIPOSA COUNTY, Calif. - Cal Fire says a firefighter has died Saturday while battling the “Ferguson Fire” on the Sierra National Forest in Mariposa County.
According to Cal Fire, Braden Varney, a heavy fire equipment operator serving the Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit, was killed in the line of duty.
The fire agency tweeted the news Saturday saying “It is with deep sadness that we share the news that @CALFIREMMU Heavy Fire Equipment Operator Braden Varney was tragically killed while battling the Ferguson Fire. Braden leaves behind a wife & two small children. Please join us in keeping Braden's loved ones in your thoughts.”
It is with deep sadness that we share the news that @CALFIREMMU Heavy Fire Equipment Operator Braden Varney was tragically killed while battling the Ferguson Fire. Braden leaves behind a wife & two small children. Please join us in keeping Braden's loved ones in your thoughts. pic.twitter.com/A5tmzCk09y
— CAL FIRE (@CAL_FIRE) July 14, 2018
Varney was just 36-years-old and is survived by his wife and two young children, said Cal Fire.
The circumstances to the death were not immediately released.