Firefighter Falls ill Dies While Battling Wildfire

WENATCHEE, Wash. (AP) — A firefighter who died after falling ill while helping battle a wildfire north of

Wenatchee has been identified as a Darby, Mont., man. Crews are struggling to contain dozens of wildfires throughout the state of Washington.

Fire spokeswoman Shannon O'Brien identified the timber faller who died as Chris Seelye.

He was working under contract north of Entiat, Wash., when he became ill on the fire line Monday afternoon and was transported to a hospital, where he died later that evening.

Gov. Chris Gregoire offered condolences to his friends and family.