Injured Okanagon firefighter has “long road to recovery.”

An update was provided on Okanogan County Firefighter Christian Johnson who is currently in critical condition after receiving second and third degree burns over more than half his body. Dr. Sam Arbabi says Johnson will not be transferred during recovery.

“We have the rehab team and the entire group here, but before we can even talk about rehab and next steps, we have to first complete the steps we are taking now. He’s critically ill and we have to take it a day at a time and it’s going to be a very long road.”

No exact details were provided about Johnson’s status or any work that’s been done.

Johnson’s wife Pam says she was aware of these kinds of risks from Christian’s time in the military and work as a volunteer firefighter.

“You don’t get flown to Harborview with a first-degree burn you can put a Band-Aid on, so I did know that we were probably looking at something serious. I did not actually realize how serious he was until I arrived here at Harborview.”

Dr. Arbabi says they will work with Johnson on recovery all the way up to the point of integrating back into society.

“That in and of itself will be a big part. For Mr. Johnson, we are in the first steps. We have a very long road ahead. He’s in critical condition and so we’ll take it day by day.”

A GoFundMe page has raised more than $30,000 for the Johnson family who are also being assisted by the Washington State Council of Firefighters Burn Foundation.

Pam expressed her gratitude for those who have reached out to help, from North Central Washington and beyond.

“I know there’s a lot of people out there that have donated to us. Thank you very much from the bottom of our hearts. It’s very overwhelming and humbling in the same manner.”