LANE COUNTY, Ore. — A wildland firefighter with the Zigzag Hotshots is facing a long road to recovery after being struck by a tree while battling the Emigrant Fire on Sept. 8 in the Willamette National Forest of Lane County.

Chris Stash, an eight-year veteran of the crew and squad leader, was hurt during fire suppression operations.

"Chris is doing well, all things considered. He's facing a long road to recovery," said Kyle Baxter, a fellow Hotshot firefighter who has worked alongside Stash for three years. "It will take a while, but he's surrounded by good people and has an outpouring of support from the community as well."

The crew was working to contain a section of fire that had crossed a road when the accident occurred. Baxter praised the quick response of the crew's emergency me

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