REDDING, Calif. - A firefighter from Washington state has died after being struck by a falling tree while working on a wildfire in Northern California.

Officials said 18-year-old Andrew Jackson Palmer, a firefighter with the Olympic National Park, died late Friday afternoon.

"Each and every member of the firefighting community feels a tragedy of this type. We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Andrew, who selflessly served to protect," said Shasta-Trinity National Forest Supervisor Sharon Heywood.

Palmer, who had been assigned to the Iron Complex fries in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, was injured on the southwest flank of the Eagle Fire, about 50 miles west of Redding.

Palmer was being airlifted to an area hospital by a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter when he died around 5:45 p.m.

"Andy was a dedicated and energetic firefighter who loved his job. We are all very sad, and our thoughts are with his family and the rest of the firefighters on this fire," said Olympic National Park Superintendent Karen Gustin.

The fire near Junction City Eagle is one of more than 2,000 blazes ignited during a huge lightning storm June 21.

A fund will be established by the Wildland Firefighter Foundation in Andrew's name. The foundation is online at http://wffoundation.org/ and can be contacted by calling (877) 336-2950.