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South Dakota Firefighter Dies Fighting California Wildfire In Modoc National

A U.S. Forest Service firefighter remains hospitalized at the Firefighters Burn Institute Regional Burn Center at U.C. Davis Medical Center in Sacramento after suffering burns while battling a wildfire in Northern California.

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A firefighter has died while fighting the Frog Fire, the U.S. Forest Service announced on Friday.

They say a search and rescue effort began Thursday night when contact could not be made with Ruhl.

The firefighter was identified as David “Dave” Ruhl of Rapid City.

Ruhle, 38, of Rapid City, South Dakotah, was on a temporary assignment at the Big Valley Ranger District since June 14.

“This loss of life is tragic and heartbreaking”, said Forest Service supervisor Amanda McAdams. “Please keep the family and all of our Forest Service employees in your thoughts and prayers during this hard time”.

In 2014, Ruhl was a fire school coordinator in the Black Hills National Forest, according to the Forest Service.

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The Frog Fire has burned roughly 800 acres east of Mount Shasta since it started on Thursday.

U.S. Forest Service firefighter remains hospitalized after suffering serious