The family of an Orange County firefighter is reeling after an offroad vehicle fire during a trip to Utah left a teenage girl severely injured.

IAFF Local 3631, the union representing firefighters across O.C., stated Monday that Fire Captain Mike Mallett and his family were on a trip to St. George, located in the southern part of the state, last week when they were traveling in a caravan of vehicles back to a campsite.

“On April 2, while traveling back to camp in a caravan of vehicles, an unthinkable accident occurred. In an instant, everything changed,” the union said in an Instagram post. “Amid dust, sun, and limited visibility, a fire broke out involving one of the vehicles carrying his wife, daughter and friends.”

Quick actions of firefighters on scene prevented any deaths; however, IAFF Local 3631 says the impact of the incident has been “severe,” as Mallett’s daughter Brooklyn suffered burns to approximately 40% of her body.

In the wake of the terrifying ordeal, Brooklyn, 15, was airlifted to a burn center in Las Vegas. According to the union, she sustained the most severe burns on her legs and one of her hands. She has already gone through multiple surgeries, and there are “many more ahead.”

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The union’s post indicates that Brooklyn, a freshman in high school who competes on her school’s varsity dance team, will likely be in the hospital for at least two months. She will then need to undergo an “extensive recovery and rehabilitation process.”

That said, while “her strength and spirit are already shining through … the road ahead will be long, painful and uncertain.”

“While one child fights to heal in a hospital hours away, the family is also navigating the emotional toll on their 17-year-old son, who witnessed the accident and is now separated from his parents during this critical time,” the firefighter’s union explained, further adding that the family will be living in Las Vegas temporarily to remain by Brooklyn’s side.

The union has set up a GoFundMe on behalf of the Fallen Firefighters Relief Fund to help alleviate the “immense financial, emotional and logistical burden” the Mallett family is facing. The fundraiser states that all donated funds will cover medical expenses, travel, temporary housing and long-term recovery.

“Brother Mallett has spent his life serving others. Now, his family needs that same support,” the fundraiser says.

Click here to donate.

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