An Iñupiaq firefighter from Noorvik died fighting a Minnesota wildfire, and two states lowered their flags

Leslie R. Washington, a 41-year-old wildland firefighter from Noorvik, died Aug. 11 after a medical emergency while responding to the Bear Trap Fire in northeastern Minnesota, the U.S. Wildland Fire Service said.

Washington, a member of the Iñupiaq people of the Northwest Arctic, was assigned to the K-River 2 crew, a tribal contract crew whose members traveled from communities across rural Alaska, among them Huslia, Allakaket, Ambler, Selawik and his home village of Noorvik, to support the federal response. The fire was burning across nearly 30,000 acres of the Superior National Forest near Ely.

Both Alaska and Minnesota lowered their flags in his honor. Gov. Mike Dunleavy ordered Alaska flags to half-staff through Tuesday. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz did the same, in a proclamation that named the fire, named his crew, and recorded Washington as a member of the Iñupiaq people, cherished by his family and by the village of Noorvik.

Out of respect for his family, federal officials said they would not release further details about the medical emergency that took his life.

"We are heartbroken at the loss of a wildland firefighter who died while protecting others," said U.S. Wildland Fire Service Chief Brian Fennessy. "We mourn alongside his families, loved ones, friends and crewmates as they face this profound loss."

His family, his crew and his village have not spoken publicly. Officials said more information would be shared as it becomes available.