A firefighter battling the El Dorado Fire 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 were working to locate the firefighter, who went missing in the San Bernardino National Forest while battling the blaze, officials said. The name of the firefighter has not been released pending family notification.
“Our deepest sympathies are with the family, friends and fellow firefighters during this time,” spokesperson Zach Behrens said in the release.
Authorities determined the El Dorado Fire was sparked by a smoke-generating pyrotechnic device used during a gender reveal photoshoot over the Labor Day weekend.
The fire has grown to 21,678 acres and is currently 66% contained, it was reported Sept. 18.