Firefighter battling blaze in California found dead

A firefighter battling the El Dorado Fire east of Los Angeles has died, the U.S. Forest Service said Friday. The cause of the death, which occurred on Thursday, is under investigation, according to the agency.

Crews had been trying to locate the firefighter, who went missing in the San Bernardino National Forest while fighting the El Dorado Fire, officials said Thursday night, CBS Los Angeles reported. The firefighter was found dead, according to San Bernardino National Forest Public Information Officer Kate Kramer.

The person’s name is being withheld until family members are notified.

“Our deepest sympathies are with the family, friends and fellow firefighters during this time,” the Forest Service said in a news release.

The El Dorado Fire has scorched more than 19,000 acres and was 66% contained as of Thursday, according to Cal Fire. It is one of many major wildfires continuing to burn across the state. To date, more than 3.4 million acres have by torched by the record-breaking blazes.