A wildland firefighter and paramedic on assignment with the Columbine Wildland Fire Module, based in Vallecito, was injured while traveling to a fire assignment in central Wyoming.
Mike Fincham collapsed at a hotel Monday night and hit his head, according to Dan Paladino, a squad leader with the Columbine Module who has been in contact with Fincham’s family.
The incident occurred during work time but was not directly work-related, San Juan National Forest Fire Staff Officer Richard Bustamante said. The module was on its way to the Clear Creek Fire on the Shoshone National Forest in northwestern Wyoming.
The module was in Riverton, Wyoming, when the event occurred, and Fincham was flown to Casper for treatment.
Fincham on Wednesday was in the intensive care unit and will need extensive care and physical therapy, Paladino predicted, and is likely to spend several more days in the ICU.
A GoFundMe fundraiser set up for Fincham’s benefit had accumulated over $8,000 in donations by midday Wednesday.
Bustamante said the SJNF had a team of people involved in ensuring Fincham is cared for from afar, and said the Forest Service flew his wife to Wyoming. The Wildland Firefighter Foundation has also coordinated support.
“It’s been a team effort to at least give him and his family the support that they need,” Bustamante said.
Fincham is technically not a part of the Columbine Module, but works as a paramedic training fire staff across the San Juan National Forest. He is also a wildland firefighter and will occasionally join the Columbine Module on assignment when needed.
“He’s well known and respected with all our firefighters across the forest,” Bustamante said.
Paladino said Fincham is a positive presence on the crew and a steadfast educator.
“He’s arguably saved lives, and he’s had a lot of interventions that made a massive difference,” Paladino said.
rschafir@durangoherald.com
