Calgary firefighter who died fighting Jasper wildfire identified
24-year-old Morgan Kitchen identified by friends and family in social media posts
The firefighter who died after being struck by a falling tree on Aug. 3 while fighting wildfires near Jasper, Alta., has been identified as Morgan Kitchen.
In social media posts, family and friends say the 24-year-old was the fatally injured Alberta Wildlife crew member. Kitchen was a resident of Calgary and based out of the Rocky Mountain House fire base.
According to the Jasper Wildfire Complex Unified Command, which is comprised of members of both Parks Canada and the Municipality of Jasper, the incident happened around 2 p.m. MT.
The firefighter's crew provided first aid before Jasper National Park visitor safety specialists and the Alberta Wildfire unit used a wheeled stretcher to bring Kitchen to the nearest helipad.
From there, he was flown to the Parks Canada operations compound in Jasper, where a STARS air ambulance was waiting.
"Tragically, despite efforts of the first responders and STARS air ambulance team specialists, the injured firefighter did not survive and was pronounced deceased shortly after transfer to STARS," officials said.
In a tribute posted to Facebook, Kitchen was described as "a talented athlete, musician, singer, comedian and actor."
"He could have been a gifted teacher, but he was wired to be a first responder," the post said.
Kitchen's mother, Joni Avram, provided a statement to CBC News through a family friend. She wrote that her son died doing what he loved in the place that he loved with the people he loved.
"He wanted nothing more than to be in community with other courageous and committed people doing meaningful work. We are grateful to his crew for their care following his injury and for the support of the entire Alberta Wildfire community. We are comforted knowing he brought joy and laughter to the many people who called him a friend," the statement said.
Kitchen was a former member of the Canadian Armed Forces and the British Royal Marines.
In an email, a spokesperson for the Department of National Defence told CBC News that Kitchen joined the Primary Reserve in February 2020 and was released in August 2022. He was a private with the Calgary Highlanders who served as an infantryman. He had no deployments.
"We extend our sincere condolences to their family, friends and former colleagues during this difficult time," the email said.
Kitchen is survived by his parents, step-parents and six siblings.