Neighbors, strangers in Milton raising thousands for severely injured firefighter



MILTON, Wash. -- U.S. Forest Service firefighter and reserve Milton police officer Daniel Lyon is still recovering at Harborview after he survived a firestorm that killed three of his fellow firefighters near Twisp last week.

On Friday, hundreds of strangers rallied for Daniel at the Haggen grocery store in Milton, raising thousands of dollars to help in his recovery.

This fundraiser has only been in the works for a week, even though organizers admit they don’t know Daniel or his family.

“We don’t know him from Adam,” said Krissie Carl.

“He put his life on the line every single day and now he’s laying in a hospital bed fighting for his life,” said Jessica Conway.

Daniel Lyon, 25, grew up in Puyallup and was working his first season as a firefighter for the U.S. Forest Service, his parents said. He is also a reserve officer in the Milton Police Department.

Last week, a firestorm trapped Daniel and his crew, killing three men. Daniel was airlifted to Harborview with burns over 60 percent of his body.

His family is optimistic about his recovery.

“Daniel’s doing fine, he’s holding his own,” said Daniel’s uncle Joe Scarfo. “He’s able to communicate to some degree. But he is awake from time to time. He’s resting comfortably and his doctor’s are optimistic.”

Volunteers sold cookies and cakes, hot dogs and lemonade to raise as much money as they could; it’s their way to say thank you to a hometown hero.

“Our goal is $50,000,” said Carl. “If we don’t reach it today, we’ll reach it tomorrow. We’ll reach it next week. We’re going to get it and we’re going to give it to him. All of it, 100% goes to Daniel.”

They said later they had raised $27,063 as of Friday night.