A 24-year-old Calgary man has died after being injured by a falling tree while fighting a forest fire northeast of Jasper, Alberta.

According to the Jasper Wildfire Complex Unified Command, which is made up of members from both Parks Canada and the municipality of Jasper, the incident occurred around 2:00 p.m. MT on Saturday.

The fire crew administered first aid before Jasper National Park visitor safety specialists and the Alberta Wildfire Unit transported the 24-year-old firefighter on a stretcher to the nearest helipad, the unified incident command said in a statement.

From there he was flown to the Parks Canada site in Jasper, where the STARS rescue helicopter was waiting.

“Tragically, despite the efforts of first responders and STARS rescue helicopter team specialists, the injured firefighter did not survive and was pronounced dead shortly after being handed over to STARS,” officials said.

The man – who RCMP said was part of the Rocky Mountain House fire station – was one of hundreds of firefighters in Alberta battling the province’s massive wildfires.

“The RCMP would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the deceased,” said a press release from the Alberta RCMP late Saturday evening.

Alberta Wildfire crews held a memorial service for the 24-year-old on Sunday morning, lining up on both sides of the road in the Jasper area to pay their respects as emergency vehicles drove by.

“Today we mourn the loss of one of our own. A member of the Alberta Wildfire crew was fatally injured yesterday while battling the Jasper wildfire. This morning we stood inconsolable with our partners as a procession passed by,” the provincial authority said in a social media post.

Public Safety and Emergency Services Minister Mike Ellis said in a statement that bus tours scheduled to take place Sunday so Jasper residents could see the destruction in town were postponed for 24 hours “out of respect for the family, crew and all those affected by this tragedy.”

He said residents who had signed up for the tours were notified of the cancellation on Saturday evening.

“We are working to ensure that support is available to everyone who works in Jasper during this incredibly difficult time,” Ellis said.

In a statement to CBC News, Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek expressed her sadness over the firefighter’s death.

“My heart goes out to the family and friends of the wildfirefighter who tragically lost his life while serving the community during the Jasper wildfires. The people of Calgary mourn with those at the Rocky Mountain House Fire Base,” she said.

Todd Loewen, Alberta’s minister of forestry and parks, said in a social media post on X that he was devastated by the news.

The province says more than 700 firefighters are battling the wildfires near Jasper, including more than 100 firefighters and rescue personnel from Ontario, Quebec, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. (@AlbertaWildfire/X)

“My deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of this frontline hero who worked tirelessly to protect our communities,” he said.

“Our deepest condolences also go out to his firefighting crew, the 700-person team working in Jasper, and the entire Alberta Wildfire community. I know you are all deeply saddened by this loss. On behalf of all Albertans, we mourn with you at this terrible news.”

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of an Alberta wildfire fighter who gave his life today to protect our community. This dedicated individual traveled to Jasper to help us and protect our town and our home,” Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland said in a statement.

“Our deepest condolences go out to her family, loved ones and comrades,” Ireland said.

Prime Minister Danielle Smith said on Sunday morning that she was deeply saddened by the 24-year-old’s death.

“Our thoughts are with her family and friends during this incredibly difficult time. We are eternally grateful to the brave wildfire fighters who risk their lives every day to protect others,” she said.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also issued a statement on the firefighter’s death.

“I am heartbroken by the news that a firefighter has lost his life battling the Jasper wildfires. He served the people of Alberta with unwavering bravery and his loss is deeply saddened,” he said.

“I’m thinking of his family, his friends and his fellow firefighters.”

According to RCMP, Alberta’s Occupational Safety and Health Agency is investigating the death.

Falling trees can be extremely dangerous when fighting wildfires. It’s been a year since Devyn Gale was killed by a cedar tree that fell on the 19-year-old while she was fighting a wildfire outside Revelstoke, BC.

A dangerous tree was felled in the community of Jasper on Wednesday. (Jasper National Park/Facebook)

The Jasper Unified Command statement said Saturday’s incident demonstrated the dangerous nature of wildfire fighting and the dangers firefighters face on a daily basis.

“Every single person working in the Jasper Wildfire Complex mourns the loss of our friend and colleague today. The wildfire community is small and each loss affects us all deeply.

“We are eternally grateful for the personal sacrifices first responders are making to protect Canadians and their communities. Our thoughts are with their families and friends during this difficult time.”