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A member of the Lolo Hotshots died Saturday while fighting a fire in Nevada, according to the National Park Service.

Justin Beebe of Bellows Falls, Vermont, was struck by a falling tree, the Park Service said. The crew was fighting the Strawberry Fire in Great Basin National Park near Baker, Nevada, according to the Park Service.

The U.S. Forest Service is gathering details and will initiate an accident investigation, said Lolo National Forest Supervisor Tim Garcia.

This was Beebe’s first season with the Lolo Hotshots, Garcia said in a statement issued Sunday to Forest Service employees. “Every employee is impacted by such a tragic loss. ... I can tell you he was a fine person and tremendous employee and his loss is deeply felt. I spoke with his mother late last night, and we are providing all needed support to them."

Great Basin National Park Superintendent Steve Mietz called Beebe’s loss “tragic and heartbreaking."

“Please keep the family and Forest Service employees in your thoughts and prayers during this time,” he said in a news release issued Sunday.

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