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Washington firefighter battling California wildfire injured in crash

South Kitsap Fire and Rescue says one of its firefighters deployed to the Woosley Fire in California was struck by a civilian vehicle and transported to a nearby hospital.
Credit: AP Photo/John Locher
A search and rescue worker searches for human remains at a burned out trailer park from the Camp Fire, Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018, in Paradise, Calif. The deadliest, most destructive blaze in California history has killed multiple people.

A firefighter from Washington state battling the Woolsey Fire was hit by a car and injured Thursday morning, according to California Highway Patrol (CHP).

The firefighter, a Washington male in his 40s, is part of a deployment from South Kitsap Fire and Rescue, the department said Thursday. The firefighter was struck by a civilian vehicle near Deer Creek on Pacific Coast Highway.

The firefighter suffered severe chest trauma and was airlifted to a California hospital. His injuries are non-life threatening, according to South Kitsap Fire and Rescue.

"Our focus at this time is on the firefighter, his family, our fire district and our community," the fire department said in a statement.

CHP said the incident was not a hit-and-run.

The firefighter has over 21 years of firefighting experience, all of which has been with South Kitsap.

Washington Task Force 2 has been taken off-line, and it has been determined if they will continue their work or be cleared to return home, according to South Kitsap Fire and Rescue.

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