Firefighter who died in blaze was on elite Hotshot crew A California firefighter killed while battling a blaze in the mountains east of Los Angeles was identified as a member of an elite Hotshot crew dedicated to fighting wildfiresA California firefighter killed while battling a blaze in the mountains east of Los Angeles was identified Tuesday as a member of an elite Hotshot crew dedicated to fighting wildfires. Forest Service Chief Vicki Christiansen said Morton was a well-respected leader who was always there for his squad and his crew at the toughest times. Ramon Herrera, also with the U.S. Forest Service, told KTLA he had worked with Morton. It’s very demanding — not just physically, but mentally.”Morton died Thursday while fighting the El Dorado fire some 80 miles (129 kilometers) east of Los Angeles. ———Associated Press writer Christopher Weber in Los Angeles contributed this report.

Source: ABC News September 22, 2020 22:30 UTC